Nanta (right) at the Malaysia Sales Programme for Song and Kapit.
Eight items have been listed under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) for Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations this year.
The prices for the items will be enforced from May 27 to June 2 for the former and May 29 to June 4 for the latter.
The items on the Kaamatan list are chicken wings, dried chillies, imported buffalo meat (India), shallots (India), garlic (China), live pig (maximum price at farm-level only), pork stomach as well as pork meat and fat.
For Gawai, the items are ayam tua hidup (mature chicken), chicken wings, garlic (China), imported round cabbage, dried chillies, pork (maximum price at farm-level only), pork stomach as well as pork meat and fat.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi revealed the lists at the launch of Rancak Hari Gawai Malaysia Sales Programme for Song and Kapit at the Song waterfront recently.
He said the maximum price was based on information from several sources, including price monitoring in all districts nationwide from last year to May this year.
“Apart from that, the price was also determined after obtaining the views of relevant government agencies such as the Malaysian Agriculture Department, Veterinary Services Department and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, as well as information from manufacturers, importers, suppliers and wholesalers,” he said.
Nanta warned that the ministry’s enforcement officers would be conducting inspections to ensure strict compliance by traders.
“Stern action will be taken against traders who fail to comply with the Kaamatan and Gawai SHMMP under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, which provides a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both or compound of up to RM50,000.
“For companies, the maximum fine is RM500,000 or compound of up to RM250,000, while for failing to display the pink price tag on price-controlled items, individuals can be fined up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000 while for a company, the fine is up to RM20,000 or compound of up to RM10,000,” he said.
