KPDNHEP launches guidelines to ensure supply of goods during floods

PUTRAJAYA:The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has launched ‘Disaster Management Guidelines for Sustainability of Supply of Goods’ in preparation for floods following the start of the northeast monsoon this month until the end of March, 2021.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, in a statement today, said that actions under the guidelines include activating disaster operations control centres and enforcement command centres in the states involved.

He said that continuous inspection and monitoring will be intensified for all food distribution chains – at manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer levels.

The ministry, he said, has allowed the increase of storage limits of controlled goods and basic items of up to 30 percent for selected wholesalers and retailers in flood-prone areas.

Nanta also stressed that the ministry will act against any party who tries to take advantage by committing offences such as misappropriation, concealment, refusing to sell, imposing conditions of sale or any offence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

Action will be taken against those who commit offences under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, such as profiteering or selling controlled goods above the ceiling price set during the flood disaster, he said.

He said that individuals who committed offences under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 can be fined not more than RM1 million or jailed not more than three years, while the punishment for companies is a fine not exceeding RM2 million, upon conviction.

For offences under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, individuals could be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed for not more than three years or both, while companies could be fined up to RM500,000, if convicted.

-- BERNAMA