16 food items subject to 7-day price control for Deepavali

PUTRAJAYA: With Deepavali fast approaching on Nov 6, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has put 16 meat and vegetable items in its price control list for seven days from Nov 3.

During this period, under the Deepavali Festive Season Price Control Scheme, the items are not to be sold at prices higher than those set by the Ministry.

Among the items in the list are live chicken (RM5.80 a kilo), standard chicken (RM7.30), super chicken (RM8.10), local bone-in mutton (RM47) and imported lamb (RM25).

Also subject to price control are Grade A, B and C eggs, which cost 38 sen, 37 sen and 36 sen each respectively.

Meanwhile, the ceiling price for tomatoes has been set at RM13 a kilo, Indian shallots at RM5.80, imported potatoes from China RM2.80, red chilli RM4.50 and Australian dhal RM3.50.

The remaining items are grated coconut (RM7.20 a kilo) and imported onion (RM2.80).

The ministry has also set the wholesale price for coconut at RM1.90.

Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution, who announced the list of prices on Tuesday (Oct 23), said the maximum prices vary from state to state, and as such, consumers were advised to check against the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry's website, kpdnkk.gov.my.

He said under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, those found to be selling the controlled items at a higher price could be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years, or both, or face a compound of up to RM50,000.

"Companies face a fine of RM500,000 or compound of up to RM50,000 if found guilty," he said.

Saifuddin also said traders could be fined up to RM10,000 for not using the pink price tags while companies could be fined up to RM20,000.

He said consumers could report to the ministry on errant traders via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317.