PUTRAJAYA: Compounds worth about half a million Ringgit were slapped on 2,205 producers, wholesalers and retailers of chicken and eggs for various offences since Feb 5, said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KDPNHEP) secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof.
Compounds totalling RM534,200 were issued for offences involving the profiteering of subsidised and controlled items committed in 2,205 enforcement actions.
Out of the total, 153 actions involved offences such as selling goods above the maximum price, failing to display pink price tags on controlled items (1,980), and not displaying price tags (72).
“The actions and compounds were issued against 13 producers, 54 wholesalers, and 2,138 retailers of chicken and chicken eggs.
“The value of the items confiscated was RM336,634,” he told Bernama after officiating the “Sihat Ke Saya?” programme organised by the Association of Wives and Women Civil Servants KPDNHEP branch here yesterday.
Azman also urged consumers to lodge complaints on supply issues or the price of goods through KPDNHEP’s six official channels, namely the Enforcement Command Centre (ECC) at 03-8882 6088/6245 or the 800-886-800 hotline number, or through WhatsApp at 0 19-279 4317/019-848 8000, the Ez-ADU application, the e-Aduan portal at http://e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my, or email eaduan@kpdnhep.gov.my.
He also described allegations about the existence of cartels that hid egg supplies before and after the 15th General Election (GE15) as baseless.
Azman said the ministry did not receive any complaints regarding such activities.
“If it happens, consumers can always lodge a report with us, and the KPDNHEP’s Enforcement Division will conduct an investigation,” he said.
On the issue of a hike in the prices of eggs in the market, Azman said action could be taken against industry players under the Price Control Act and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 if they were found to have flouted the law.
