Georgie (middle, white shirt) and his officers showing the seized smartphones.
KOTA KINABALU: Imitation goods including electronic gadgets and power tools worth over RM145,000 were seized in raids in two Sabah districts earlier this week.
Among the items confiscated by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Sabah office were chainsaws, saw blades, smartphones and mobile chargers.
Acting on tip-offs, enforcement officers first stormed two power tool stores in the northern Kota Marudu district, some 120km from here, on Wednesday (July 26).
Sabah ministry director Georgie Abas said a representative of the STIHL chainsaw and power equipment brand was also involved in the checks.
He said the raiding team seized two chainsaws, 63 units of saw blades and 62 suspected counterfeit spark plugs worth RM8,471.
In the second operation, he said enforcement officers, along with representatives from the Vivo telecommunication gadgets registered brand, inspected three electronics outlets around the state capital on Thursday (July 27).
“We found and seized 818 units of (suspected imitation) Vivo smartphones, 253 USB data cables and 104 units of quick charge travel chargers worth RM137,163.50,” he said here on Friday (July 28).
One of the chainsaws seized in the raids.
“The total value of items seized amounted to RM145,634.50,” he added.
Georgie said the owners of the five business premises will be investigated under the Trademarks Act 2019 for having imitation goods in their possession with intent to sell them.
He said those found guilty face a fine not more than RM10,000 for each item seized or imprisoned for a maximum of three years, or both.
“For companies or corporate organisations, they can be fined not more than RM15,000 for each item,” he added.
Georgie stressed that the ministry will continue to enforce the law in order to curb copyright infringement activities and the sale of counterfeit goods.
“Traders are also reminded to be more responsible and to respect the intellectual property of others, and also double-check the authenticity of the products (they sell).
“Consumers are also advised not to support such businesses by buying imitation goods,” he said.
He urged the public to cooperate with the authorities by reporting any unusual or suspicious business activities especially involving the sale of imitation goods.
Anyone with information of such incidents can inform the ministry via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317 or 019-848 8000 or online through e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my.
They can also call 1-800-886-800 or email e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my and the Enforcement Command Centre at 03-8882 6088/6245.
