KOTA KINABALU: A total of 14 "hot" items have been listed as controlled goods during the Christmas period.
They are imported lamb, tomatoes, green bell peppers, imported round cabbages from China and Indonesia, carrots, red chilis, China potatoes, imported shallots, onions and live old chicken (controlled in Sarawak).
Goods that are controlled in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan are chicken wings, pigs (at farm level), pork belly, pork meat as well as pig fat.
Some of the retail prices per kilogramme are RM18.50 for live pigs from farms, RM43 for pork belly, RM36 for pork meat and fat, RM16 for chicken wings, RM32 for bone-in imported lamb and RM18 for bell peppers.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the prices would be in effect from Saturday to Wednesday (Dec 23 to Dec 27).
He said the price control scheme was introduced because of expected high demand for these items during the festive season.
“We do not want anyone to manipulate the price of these sought-after items and wish to ensure a consistent supply,” he said when launching the price control scheme and Rahmah Sales Programme in Kepayan near here on Thursday (Dec 21).
Armizan said those who wish to sell these items below the ceiling price may do so.
“As long as they do not sell over the ceiling price,” he added.
Armizan said those who find anyone exceeding the ceiling price may contact the ministry.
“Our officials will be going around checking prices during this period as well,” he added, reminding traders to abide by the controls and display price tags clearly.
Anyone found selling controlled goods above the ceiling price can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years, or both, or issued a RM50,000 compound notice.
Companies can be fined up to RM500,000 or issued compound notices up to RM250,000, he said.
Individuals failing to place pink price tags on controlled items can be fined up to RM10,000 (court orders) or issued a compound notice of up to RM5,000 while companies failing to do so are liable to a RM500,000 fine or up to RM250,000 compound, he added.
The list of controlled goods and ceiling prices can be found at https://www.kpdn.gov.my.
On the Rahmah Sales Programme, Armizan said the government will improve the system and fine-tune its features next year.
He said a total of RM200mil has been allocated for future programmes.
