(From left) Penang Chowrasta Bazaar Traders Association chairman Mohamed Nasir Mohideen and Jegan checking price tag compliance at Chowrasta Market. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Chowrasta leads in compliance programme, set to expand statewide
THE Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) in Penang inspected over 67,000 business premises statewide between January and October.
Its director Jegan Subramaniam said the checks covered 67,564 premises, resulting in 804 cases, RM3.06mil worth of seizures and RM461,800 in compounds issued for various offences.
He said most violations involved unclear price displays, overcharging or misuse of weighing instruments.
“The majority of cases were related to price discrepancies,” Jegan said after launching the Pasar Patuh 3P (Patuh, Piawai, Pasti) programme at Chowrasta Market.
The pilot programme aims to improve compliance among market traders through clear price labelling, use of accurate weighing instruments and a clean trading environment.
It involves traders at Chowrasta Market – 33 from the wet section, 20 semi-dry, six dry goods and two non-halal traders.
“We want traders to understand the importance of following the law,” he said, adding that the programme also aimed to build confidence in a fair and ethical trading system.
Jegan: The programme is expected to drive a more transparent, consumer-friendly business culture.
Jegan said Chowrasta would serve as the pilot model before statewide expansion next year.
“For now, we will focus on Chowrasta to gauge its success before extending to other markets.”
He said the initiative was backed by Penang Island City Council, Seberang Perai City Council, with Health Ministry, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, Companies Commission of Malaysia and certified weighing-equipment firms.
“With strong cooperation from all sides, Pasar Patuh 3P is expected to drive a more transparent and consumer-friendly business culture,” Jegan said.
From January to November, the ministry received 2,288 public complaints, mostly on pricing (1,016), controlled goods (191) and other issues (1,081).
Jegan urged consumers to report misconduct through the ministry’s official channels.
On the Budi Madani fuel subsidy scheme, he said 12 complaints had been received this month, mostly technical in nature.
He said daily inspections were being carried out at petrol stations, with no major violations detected so far in Penang.
On possible price hikes of vegetables and fish during the northeast monsoon, Jegan said such fluctuations were seasonal.
“Prices may rise slightly when supplies drop, especially for wet goods and fish, but not all items will be controlled.”
He added that selected essentials would come under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme during the Christmas period and warned that action would be taken against violators.
