Nationwide crackdown on profiteers launched

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said the operation focused on pricing, enforcement of Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act and examination on weights and measures.

He said about 1,800 enforcement officers and 1,100 monitoring officers would carry out spot checks at wet markets, grocery stores and restaurants during the operation.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of the 2014 Price Ops at the Seremban Main Market here today, he urged all quarters to make the operation a success and asked consumers to lodge complaints against errant traders to the ministry.

Meanwhile, Hasan said the ministry had set up a committee comprising consumer organisation representatives, economists and lawyers to review existing Acts in an effort to streamline and strengthen them.

In ALOR SETAR, Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said some traders resorted to charging excessive prices as they were prompted by issues blown out of proportion by certain quarters through various media channels.

"Irresponsible quarters have taken an easy way out to blame the government when the prices go up even though the increases could be due to inclement weather or supply and demand.

"Consumers should use their discretion before making purchases by comparing prices," he told reporters after inspecting prices at the Alor Setar Main Market today.

He said not all complaints about price hike relayed to the state 2,000-strong Consumer Squad were true as the inspection carried out by him at the market showed that chicken was sold between RM6.80 and RM7.30 per kg while beef between RM25 and RM27 per kg.

In KUANTAN, Pahang Cooperative, Entrepreneurship and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Shahiruddin Ab Moin said unlike before, traders violating the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 in the state would no longer be issued compounds, instead they be charged in court.

"We will not compromise with errant traders who violate regulations like not displaying price tags, selling goods at exorbitant prices, and cheating on weights and measures," he told reporters after inspecting the prices of goods at the Kuantan Main Market.

Shahiruddin said if the inspection was anything to go by, most of the traders obeyed the rules with the exception of a few.

"Errant traders will have their goods confiscated before being served with notices pending a decision whether they will be charged in court," he added.