PETALING JAYA: A total of 2,253 checks relating to the rice supply have been carried out nationwide since early July, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (pic).
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living acting minister said the checks were carried out under Ops Jamin at the supply chains, manufacturers, retail stores and sundry shops between July 7 and Sept 12.
"A total of 121 complaints were also received during the same period," he said in a statement on Friday. (Sept 15).
Armizan added that members of the public can forward information on rice supply shortages or price hikes to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry at https://skpb.kpkm.gov.my/adu, aduankpb@kpkm.gov.my or 03-8870 1751/1748/1183.
Alternatively, he said the information could also be channelled to his ministry via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317 / 019-848 8000, at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my, 1-800-886-800 or 03-8882 6088 / 6245.
Meanwhile, Armizan said a well-known commercial outlet in Bandar Putra Permai of Seri Kembangan, Selangor was found to have violated the law by selling imported rice above the fixed market price.
This comes after a raid was conducted by enforcement officers from the ministry following public complaints over the sale of Bird Paradise Super Siams 10kg bag of rice, he revealed.
"It was found that the price displayed was RM52.40, compared to the RM48.80 printed on the rice bag.
"This was a RM3.60 difference and had caused some confusion in the pricing," he said.
He said that action was taken against the outlet under Section 12(1)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act for causing confusion with regard to the price of a product or service.
Those found guilty, he said, could face a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or three years in jail or both.
He added that action was also taken under Section 5 of the Trade Description Act for falsifying content or name, which carries a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or three years in jail or both upon conviction or RM250,00 for a company.
