By: Zaki Saleh
IPOH: The actions of a mini supermarket in Kuala Kangsar by offering unauthorized clearance sales have attracted attention after an investigation was launched.
The discounted sales offer coincided with the opening of the newest branch of said mini-supermarket chain at Kuala Kangsar Prima.
The action was taken by the enforcement unit of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) Perak branch in Kuala Kangsar.
Its director, Dato’ Kamalludin Ismail, stated that an inspection at 11 a.m. was conducted regarding an advertisement for the clearance sale of controlled sugar products priced at 10 cents per packet, which had gone viral on social media.
Following a public complaint, it was found that the price of sugar offered was very reasonable and limited to only the first 200 customers.
“In addition to the controlled sugar products, there were also clearance sales of carbonated drinks priced at 99 cents, and such sales have been ongoing since March 16, 2024.
“Initial checks revealed that the supermarket in question did not apply for permission to conduct clearance sales for a period exceeding 3 days in conjunction with the opening of their new branch in this town,” he said.
This action constitutes an offence under Regulation 3(1) of the Trade (Price Control) (Clearance Sale) Regulations 1997 (Amendment) 2019.
The supermarket is also suspected of not having a retail license to sell sugar, cooking oil, and flour as stipulated under Regulation 3(1) of the Supply Control Regulations 1974, which prohibits trading in controlled items without a license.
All seized items, including sales receipts and relevant documents, totalling RM200, have been confiscated.
The case will be investigated under the Supplies Control Act 1961 for operating without a license to sell sugar, cooking oil, and flour, and may incur fines of up to RM2 million if found guilty.
Regarding the clearance sale case, it will be investigated under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, and if convicted, a fine of RM25,000 may be imposed.
