Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) issued compounds worth RM47,200 and seized RM1.05 million in goods in Sabah so far this year.
KPDN Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the amount is from 304 cases following inspections on 16,285 premises statewide.
He disclosed this after a walkabout at the Central Market on Sunday to review the compliance level of traders towards the ceiling price of chicken and eggs.
“We will be in frequent engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure chicken and eggs are well supplied.
“Overall, traders at the Kota Kinabalu market were compliant in placing price tags. They are disciplined and hygiene levels were satisfactory,” he said.
Salahuddin said the walkabout was also to monitor the availability of food items and their current prices in preparation for the month of Ramadan next Wednesday.
“Ahead of the fasting month, KPDN officers will be assigned to strategic locations such as public and farmers markets and shopping centres usually flocked for essentials.
“This strategy enables on the spot enforcement to be carried out based on consumer complaints against traders in the event of non-compliance.
“These measures also reflect ongoing efforts to protect consumers from excessive profit-taking activities by unethical traders,” he said.
Salahuddin said a total 170 dedicated district retailers and 89 dedicated district wholesalers throughout Sabah have been chosen for price benchmarking.
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