‘Abide by two-hour time limit’

PUTRAJAYA: Random enforcement checks will be conducted at popular retail outlets to ensure shoppers abide by the two-hour shopping limit, says Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

However, he said the onus was on the public to exercise self-control and keep track of their shopping time.

“With about 2,200 enforcement officers nationwide, we will conduct random checks at places that are popular.

“Abide by the two-hour limit. This cooperation is important for us in our battle against Covid-19, ” he said at a virtual press conference yesterday when announcing the price control scheme for this year’s Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai festive period.

Last Sunday, the ministry announced that from today, the public would only be allowed to shop at retail premises including malls for a maximum of two hours as part of the tightened standard operating procedure introduced by the government under the current movement control order.

Nanta said enforcement officers and premises owners would be able to see how much time a shopper spent at a place through checks on their MySejahtera record.

“Every time you check-in using MySejahtera, the exact time is recorded.

“Premises owners can use this, and they can advise their customers to adhere to the two-hour limit, ” he said.

On whether parents should be banned from bringing children for shopping, Nanta said it would only be an advisory as some parents might have genuine reasons.

“We do not encourage parents to bring children shopping. However, there are instances where single parents may have no one to look after their children.

“If you have someone to look after your children while you go out to shop, it is better to leave them behind, ” he added.

Meanwhile, Nanta said the Pesta Kaamatan price control scheme would take effect for seven days from Thursday to June 2 in Sabah and Labuan.

The 11 essential goods placed under the Pesta Kaamatan price scheme are live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, chicken wings, Grades A, B and C chicken eggs, imported buffalo meat, live pigs, pork belly, as well as pork.

As for the Hari Gawai scheme, it will be enforced from Friday to June 3 in Sarawak.

Items under the Gawai scheme are live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, live spent hens, chicken wings, Grades A, B and C chicken eggs, live pig, pork belly, and pork.

Individuals found guilty of selling the items beyond ceiling prices can be fined up to RM100,000, or jailed up to three years, or both under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, while companies caught for the same offence can be fined up to RM500,000.