A total of 176 enforcers from the state Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) and 79 price surveillance officers have been assigned to conduct daily monitoring at every distributive chain involving suppliers, wholesalers and retailers statewide.
Inspection found an increase in price for consumer necessities such as vegetables including cauliflower, mustard greens, broccoli, French beans, cabbage, red chilli, green chilli as well as chicken and egg.
Director of state KPDNHEP, Saifullizan Kamarul Zaman said the inspection found that the increase in price is due to factors such as increase in production cost, unpredictable weather conditions and the imbalance of supply and demand in the market.
“The state KPDNHEP is concerned about the people’s recent worries about the increase in price of basic necessities in the market which affects the cost of living.
“As of November 28, we have issued a total of 57 Goods Information Verification Notices and 136 notification letters for price checks of goods under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to suspected traders,” he said in a statement.
KPDNHEP can take action on any traders in the supply chain if there are elements of unreasonable profiteering under the Act.
Saifullizam added that traders caught profiteering can be taken action under Section 14(1) of the Act which carries a fine of up to RM500,000 for companies and RM100,000 for individuals, jail or both if convicted.
“Perakeans are urged to use the free Price Catcher application developed by the Ministry.
“The application is able to provide more choices to users when it comes to purchasing necessities as it includes price sharing of over 400 items nationwide,” he stated.
Rosli Mansor
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