Keeping rice prices in check

PETALING JAYA: A total of 2,253 checks related to the supply of rice since July have been carried out nationwide, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

The acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said the checks were carried out under Ops Jamin between July 7 and Sept 12 involving rice at the supply chain, manufacturing, retail and sundry levels.

“A total of 121 complaints were also received during the same period,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He warned individuals and companies to adhere to the laws on displaying prices of items.

He added that members of the public can forward information on the lack of rice supply or a hike in price to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry at https://skpb.kpkm.gov.my/adu, aduan [e-mail] or contact 03-8870 1751/1748/1183.

Alternatively, he said the information could be channelled to his ministry via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317/019-848 8000, or http:// eaduan.kpdn.gov.my, or contact 1800 88 6800 or 03-8882 6088/6245.

Armizan also said a commercial outlet in Seri Kembangan, had run afoul of the law for selling imported rice above the fixed market price.

This came after a raid conducted by a team of enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry following public complaints over the sale of a 10kg bag of rice.

“Following initial checks, it was found that the price display for 10kg was RM52.40 compared with the RM48.80 printed on the plastic bag containing the rice.

“This was a RM3.60 difference and had caused some confusion,” he said.

Armizan added that a further scan of the product at the counter at the premises showed that it was priced at RM52.40.

He said 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’ jail, or both.

He said action was also taken under Section 5 of the Trade Description Act for falsifying content or a name, which carries a fine not exceeding RM100,000, or three years in jail or both, upon conviction, or RM250,00 for a company.

On Sept 1, Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) said the price of imported white rice had been increased with immediate effect to RM3,200 from RM2,350 per tonne due to unpredictable factors such as climate change, weakening of the foreign exchange rate, high operating costs and conflicts in the region.

The price hike will cost consumers 85 sen more for a kilogramme of imported white rice.

In an effort to address the shortage of locally produced rice, the government has also implemented a restriction on the sale of local white rice, limiting purchases to 100kg per customer.