By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
Photo KPDN Perak
PULAU PANGKOR: The enforcement team of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) for the state of Perak and the Manjung branch, in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM), conducted an integrated inspection on premises alleged to be selling expensive seafood around Teluk Nipah here today.
The Director of KPDN Perak, Datuk Kamalludin Ismail, stated that the monitoring operation (Ops Samar) was carried out for two days since yesterday to inspect the involved premises.
“This action is in response to complaints from KPDN Perak following a viral post by a user on the TikTok app, which was also shared by other users on Facebook last Friday.
“In the post, he claimed to have been charged high prices for cooked seafood that were not worth the quality and service provided,” he said in a statement today.
Kamalludin mentioned that the TikTok user also compared seafood prices abroad, which are cheaper, and claimed that this situation made him less inclined to support local traders if it continues.
“Therefore, based on the viral post, KPDN Perak today conducted inspections on the alleged premises and other premises around the Teluk Nipah tourist area.
“The information from the previous Ops Samar found that the premises in question did not display prices for uncooked seafood and were not using weighing scales for the sale of these seafood items.
“The premises only displayed prices when the uniformed officers conducted the inspection today. The inspection and comparison of food prices at the premises were found to be higher than the same food prices at other premises around Teluk Nipah,” he said.
He added that legal action would be taken against the involved trader for suspected violations of Section 140(3)(a)(b) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, namely failing to provide business name and address details and purchase dates on receipts issued to consumers.
He mentioned that if found guilty, the trader could be fined up to RM100,000 for corporations and RM50,000 for individuals, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.
“The premises were also issued a Goods Information Confirmation Notice (NPMB) and a Written Notice (NB) under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the trader must provide product information to KPDN Perak within five working days.
“Further investigations will be carried out under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,” he said.
