SELANGOR Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has pledged rigorous enforcement across the state to foster fair trade and safeguard public welfare.
State rural development, unity and consumer affairs committee chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail said KPDN officers in all nine districts would monitor and inspect commercial premises to ensure traders complied with the Deepavali Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP).
“The state government, through the Selangor Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives, is committed to strengthening synergy with the Federal Government through KPDN,” he said.
“We hope this phased enforcement will act as a catalyst for a more transparent and consumer-focused trade transformation.
“This will raise awareness among traders on the importance of complying with the law, promoting healthy business competition and protecting consumer rights.”
Rizam said this after visiting ST Rosyam Mall in Jalan Kebun, Klang, together with Selangor KPDN director Muhamad Hanif Asa’ari, to check on prices of goods sold.
They were accompanied by Sri Ternak Group of Companies group chief executive officer and group managing director Datuk Raymond Ho, whose company operates ST Rosyam Mall.
According to Rizam, locations to be monitored for the scheme included supermarkets, public markets and essential goods retail centres.
Selangor KPDN has deployed about 300 enforcement officers for the operation.
Rizam noted that no complaints regarding price increases due to the festive period had been received so far.
“Monitoring will continue to ensure traders comply with set maximum prices and clearly display pink price tags for controlled items,” he added, warning that stern legal action would be taken against non-compliant traders.
The seven-day Deepavali SHMMP scheme, which began on Nov 4, covers 11 essential items to keep prices affordable during the festive period.
Two new items – coconut milk and potatoes imported from China – were added to provide a more comprehensive price control framework compared to the nine items listed in previous years.
The remaining controlled items are: large red onions, Indian shallots, Indian rose shallots, red chillies, imported bone-in mutton, Australian dhal, whole coconuts, grated coconut and tomatoes.
Enforced under Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, the scheme applies nationwide across public markets, farmers’ markets and retail stores.
Individuals found selling controlled goods above the maximum prices face fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years or both, while companies can be fined up to RM500,000.
Additionally, failure to display pink price tags carries fines of up to RM10,000 for individuals and up to RM20,000 for corporate entities.
Consumers can verify official price caps via www.kpdn.gov.my
