Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib launched the State-level Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) in conjunction with the 2023 Chinese New Year at Pasaraya Bataras in Kolombong, here, Monday.
At the same time, the prices of chicken and chicken eggs are also controlled under the Maximum Price Determination of Chicken and Chicken Egg (PHMAT) scheme.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Sabah Director Georgie Abas, in a statement, said the 15-day SHMMP is implemented as a measure to stabilise the prices of goods throughout the Chinese New Year festive season.
“It is also to ensure supply in the market,” said, adding it is also part of the Government’s efforts to stabilise prices when demand is expected to increase to allow Malaysians of various races, religions and cultures to enjoy in a happy and harmonious manner.
Items under the 2023 Chinese New Year SHMMP scheme are imported round cabbage (Indonesia and China, not including Beijing), imported potatoes (China), garlic (China), white pomfret (weighing between 200gm and 400gm each), white shrimp (weighing between 41 and 60 pieces per kg), live farm pigs, pork belly and lean and fatty pork.
Items under the PHMAT scheme are live chicken, standard chicken (slaughtered and cleaned including feet, head, liver and other chicken parts), super chicken (weighing between 65gm and 69.6gm each), Grade A chicken egg (weighing between 65gm and 69.6gm each), Grade B chicken egg (weighing between 60gm and 64.9gm each), Grade C chicken egg (weighing between 55gm and 59.9gm each).
Georgie said KPDN enforcement officers would always be in locations that have public concentration, especially public market, farmers’ market and supermarkets.
“They will carry out inspections and monitoring every day as a measure to ensure adherence to the price of goods throughout the Chinese New Year festive season and to ensure there is sufficient supply in the market.
“At the same time, prudent enforcement is also implemented by providing education, advice and warnings to traders to comply with the law and practice ethical trading,” he said. Under the 2023 SHMMP which started on an January 15, a total of 111 premises have been inspected throughout Sabah and no case action has been taken,” he added.
Last year, a total of 4,667 inspections were conducted throughout Sabah for five SHMMPs, namely Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Kaamatan Festival, Deepavali and Christmas.
From the inspections, a total of 19 offences were detected under the Price Control and Anti- Profiteering Act 2011 (Price Marking of Goods and Service Charges) 2020 with a confiscation value of RM1,130.85 and a compound value of RM2,100.
He reminded traders against violating the law and regulations under the scheme.
Any trader who commits an offence will be prosecuted under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and may be subject to penalties.
For the offence of selling price-controlled goods above the maximum price, individuals may be fined by the court up to RM100,000 or imprisoned not exceeding three years, or both, or compounded up to RM50,000. Companies can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000.
For the offence of failing to place a pink price tag on controlled price items; individuals can be fined by the court up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000; and companies can be fined up to RM20,000 or compounded up to RM10,000.
For the offence of failing to put a price tag or price list on the goods sold; individuals may be fined by the court up to RM50,000 and imprisoned for two years, or both, or compounded up to RM25,000; and companies can be fined up to RM100,000 or compounded up to RM50,000.
Those with information of offenders can contact the KPDN at Whatsapp 019-279 4317/019-848 8000; Portal Aduan: e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my; Call Centre 1-800-886-800, Email: [email protected] ; Ez ADU KPDN; Enforcement Command Centre): 03 – 8882 6088 / 6245; or go to the nearest KPDN office.
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