KOTA KINABALU: An assortment of imitation goods worth more than RM370,000 were disposed of by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) here on Thursday (Nov 23).
These items were seized under the Trademarks Act 2019 and Trade Description Act 2011 in 11 cases investigated between 2019 and this year.
“Among the items being disposed of are sports attire and shoes, wristwatches, perfumes, shampoos, razors, pen drives and compact discs,” said Sabah KPDN deputy director Zulfamy Mat Udi, at their exhibit storehouse here on Nov 23.
He said the items, worth approximately RM375,210.63, were to be disposed of after they completed the probes on the 11 cases which have led to prosecutions.
He added a big portion of the items seized consisted of sports jerseys that were valued at some RM233,000.
He explained, however, not all the items would be destroyed.
“For goods that fulfil certain criteria, they will be donated to the needy like orphanages following some required procedures.
“Some will also be returned to the owners if they have a valid business licence,” Zulfamy said.
For the record, he said, Sabah KPDN had carried out a total of 18 disposal activities of items they seized this year so far, involving a value of RM1,045,644.65.
He said between January and Nov 21, they have conducted 70,335 checks on premises throughout Sabah.
Out of these checks, he said, they initiated a total of 1,096 cases involving offences under the Price Control and Anti Profiteering Act 2011, Control of Supplies Act 1961, Consumer Protection Act 1999, Trademarks Act 2019 and Trade Description Act 2011, among others.
“We also recorded notices of compounds amounting to RM485,800, followed by seized items valued at more than RM5.9mil and fines totaling to RM123,000,” Zulfamy said.
Towards this end, he said the Ministry will intensify enforcement efforts in order to preserve consumers’ interests.
Zulfamy urged the public to report or channel any information on misconducts by traders to the Ministry’s WhatsApp number at 019-279 4317 or 019-848 8000.They may also, he said, reach out to their complaints portal at e-aduan.kpdn.gov.my or write in officially to any nearby KPDN offices.
