Kota Kinabalu: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh reassured that the prices of goods under the Sumbangan Asas Ramah (Sara) programme remain under control, following public concerns about alleged profiteering.
She said from Sept 1 to 19, a total of 22 complaints were received nationwide, with only one complaint from Sabah.
“Majority of the complaints were from Selangor with nine cases, while other states recorded between one or two cases.
“The most common complaints were related to the prices of baby diapers and eggs. However, after investigations, we found no profiteering and the prices remain under control,” she told reporters after inspecting two supermarkets here with KPDN enforcement officers. Dr Fuziah explained that confusion often arises when consumers purchase promotional items.
“Sometimes, they buy goods at a promotional price one day, then find the price has increased the next day after the promotion ends. This is not profiteering, but simply the end of a promotion period which is clearly stated on the price signage,” she said.
“KPDN’s monitoring confirmed no elements of profiteering in Sabah and that the supply of essential goods remains sufficient to meet consumer needs across the State,” she added.
Dr Fuziah urged the public to lodge complaints through KPDN’s official channels instead of voicing dissatisfaction on social media.
“If the complaint doesn’t reach us through the right channels, it will be difficult for enforcement officers to investigate and take action. We need to know which shop and which location, to be able to follow up,” she said. Regarding Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Dr Fuziah revealed that many participants are unaware that they are also eligible for the monthly MySARA assistance.
“Recently, some discovered that their MyKad balance had RM500 when they checked at the sales counters. This shows they were unaware of their eligibility,” she said.
Categories eligible for monthly MySARA aid include hardcore poor and poor households, senior citizens living alone and single individuals, with some families receiving up to RM200 a month from April to December.
Dr Fuziah said it would be a loss if the nearly eight million eligible recipients do not claim the assistance available to them.
Touching on the recent floods and landslides in Sabah, she said KPDN’s role was to ensure that the supply of essential goods remain uninterrupted.
“Distributors have already been assigned by zones, so when disasters occur, the nearest distributor will step in to ensure supply is not disrupted,” she said, adding that Rahmah food baskets contributed by retail partners have also been distributed to victims in affected areas.
Dr Fuziah reiterated KPDN’s commitment to strengthening enforcement and monitoring to protect consumers.
“We will continue to safeguard market integrity, ensure prices remain the stable and protect consumers’ rights. If any unjustified price increases are detected, action will be taken under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (PCAPA),” she said.
