Ensuring fair prices in Johor this festive season

JOHOR BARU: Some 200 enforcement officials from the Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will be monitoring prices during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri season to ensure items remain affordable.

Its director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said checks would be made at markets, hypermarkets, supermarkets and even sundry shops to prevent traders from taking advantage of the festive season to hike up prices.

“The ministry’s price monitoring team is on standby for the upcoming festive season. Starting from the third day of Hari Raya, they will be checking prices.

“As we will be celebrating Hari Raya soon, sellers should comply with the rules and regulations, including displaying price tags on food items,” she said after attending a Jualan Rahmah programme held in conjunction with Hari Raya at Taman Mutiara Rini here yesterday.

Lilis Saslinda said action would be taken against traders who did not comply with the rules.

“So far, the ministry has issued seven compound notices to Ramadan bazaar traders in accordance with the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 for not displaying price tags,” she said.Lilis Saslinda added that there was sufficient supply of food items in Johor, including those on the festive price control list.

She also said the ministry has yet to receive any reports about disruptions in the food supply in the state.

She said the ministry has been proactive in carrying out checks even before the festive season to ensure there were no such disruptions, adding that continuous checks would be made during and after Hari Raya.

“However, if consumers find that some goods, including those under the price-controlled list, are lacking in their areas, please report it to the ministry immediately.

“We will immediately send a team to carry out investigations and inspections,” Lilis Saslinda said.

She said complaints could be made via the ministry’s apps, EZ Adu KPDN, or the public could call the hotline number at 1-800-886-800 or WhatsApp at 019-848 800.

She also said that consumers could lodge complaints via the ministry’s website at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my or email [e-mail]