IPOH: A seafood restaurant in Teluk Nipah on Pangkor Island has been slapped with anti-profiteering notices for allegedly over-charging its customers.
Perak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said after two days of investigations at the restaurant and several other premises in Teluk Nipah, the eatery was found to have not put price tags on its seafood.
"The restaurant also did not use any weighing machine and had only put out the price tags when our uniformed officers came to check on Sunday (Jan 7).
"Checks and comparisons of prices of food at the premises also found it higher compared to other eateries in the area," he said in a statement.
"The operator is believed to have also contravened Section 14(3)(a)(b) of the Consumer Protection Act for failing to put the name and address of the eatery on receipts issued to consumers.
"If found guilty, the premises can be fined up to RM100,000 while the operator can be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed not more than three years or both," he said.
"The premises had been issued with a Goods Information Confirmation Notice and a written notice under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act and needed to submit information pertaining to its products to the state department within five working days," he added.
Kamalludin said the department had conducted an operation in the area with the police and Manjung Municipal Council following a complaint that was posted on TikTok by a user of the social media platform.
"The post was posted on Friday (Jan 5) and was later shared on Facebook.
"The user had claimed that he had been charged expensively for several dishes that did not meet the quality and services provided," he said.
"The user had also compared the prices and felt that it was cheaper to eat abroad and would even stop supporting local traders if prices were overly expensive," he added.
He said irresponsible acts by traders in taking advantage of tourists would portray a bad image and impact the tourism industry in Perak.
"The department is always committed and will work with other enforcement agencies to ensure traders adhere to the rules.
"Traders are reminded to always have good business ethics and are warned to improve on price tagging and not to hike up the prices on a whim, especially during festive seasons and school holidays," he said.
"Consumers are also urged to be the eyes and ears for the department and to inform us of any wrongdoings by the traders.
The department can be contacted via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317, its portal at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my; call centre at 1-800-866-800; by email to e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my or its mobile app "Ez Adu KPDN".
