ISKANDAR PUTERI: A total of 46 violations were recorded by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Johor under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) this year.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said these breaches were found during the SHMMP initiatives for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali.
“(During the enforcement period of) these schemes, 1,708 inspections were conducted among manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers in Johor, resulting in 46 cases and RM5,100 in fines for violations.
“The ministry advises traders to comply with laws and avoid exploiting consumers by raising prices unnecessarily,” he told reporters after a Christmas 2024 SHMMP walkabout at a supermarket here on Monday (Dec 23).
ALSO READ: 14 items under Christmas price control scheme from Dec 23
The programme was also attended by the ministry's Johor director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo.
Lee added that last year, a total of 57 cases were recorded, resulting in RM6,700 worth of compounds during four SHMMP initiatives, including Christmas.
He added that the ministry monitors and enforces price controls to ensure market stability, focusing on public markets, supermarkets and grocery stores.
Key actions include enforcing the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to prevent unreasonable price hikes by traders, requiring clear price labelling under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Goods and Charges for Services) Order 2020, and implementing price control schemes like the SHMMP during major festive seasons, he added.
On the Christmas SHMMP, Lee said essential goods listed include imported bone-in lamb, potatoes from China, and round cabbage from Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing cabbage.
ALSO READ: 13 breaches of festive price control scheme recorded in Perak so far this year
“It also includes carrots, tomatoes, green bell peppers, red chillies, large imported red onions, and large yellow onions. These items have been identified as high-demand essentials during the festive period,” he said.
He added that 200 ministry enforcement officers statewide will be making daily checks throughout the SHMMP period from today until Friday (Dec 27).
He said strict action would be taken against traders violating the rules, including fines or notices under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
“Penalties for violations include court fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, for individuals who exceed maximum prices for controlled goods.
“Companies can face fines of up to RM500,000 or compounds of up to RM250,000.
“Traders failing to display pink price tags for controlled goods may also face fines, with individuals subject to penalties of up to RM10,000 and companies facing fines of up to RM20,000,” he said.
Consumers may report trader misconduct during SHMMP Christmas 2024 through WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, the ministry's complaints portal at e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my, its call centre at 1-800-886-800, or the Ez ADU mobile application.
