A month after the government implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) has decided to set up a 'mystery shopper' initiative.

The ‘mystery shopper’, who will be the Customs department officers, would look into the complaints by the public on the new tax regime.

According to Customs GST director, Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy, the operation will involve some 3,000 of its officers.

“The advisory period is over, so we are beginning to take action,” he told Astro AWANI in a phone interview.

He said the officers will disguise themselves as shoppers and go to the shops and supermarkets to check for themselves if they had violated GST-related laws and regulations.

“If the traders had violated regulations, actions will be taken,” Subromaniam warned.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek ha also warned of stern action to be taken against traders who attempt to sabotage implementation of GST.

He had said that the ministry and the police were monitoring the traders concerned.

READ: Stern action against traders who attempt to sabotage GST - Hasan

Earlier, Subromaniam had said that since the implementation of the GST, a total of 5,000 complaints were received by the department.

Of the complaints, most were about price differences and price hikes.

READ: A month after GST: Almost 5,000 complaints received - Customs

READ: Dr Wan Azizah calls for exemption of GST on children's goods

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