Transport firms hauled up


Always vigilant: Lilis Saslinda pointing at a price list for vegetables during the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s inspection for Hari Raya Aidiladha at KipMart Tampoi, Johor Baru.

MELAKA: Three transport companies in Melaka that failed to provide a reasonable explanation for their service price increases during Op Kesan 2.0, which has been in effect since June 6, will be charged in court next week.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Melaka director, Norena Jaafar, said written notices under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act were issued to the companies but they failed to respond within the stipulated time frame.

“Preliminary investigations found that the three transport companies had been approved for ‘fleet card’ applications under the Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0 (SKDS 2.0).

“These companies are among 41 SKDS 2.0 beneficiaries inspected to detect any unreasonable service charge or price increases,” she told reporters yesterday, Bernama reported.

Norena said that every day, five teams comprising 17 enforcement officers would be deployed to inspect the companies involved, and written notices under Section 21 of the Act would be issued if they were found to have committed related offences.

Those with information regarding price increases of goods or services involving SKDS beneficiaries can report it to the ministry at 012-665 4292.

In JOHOR BARU, the ministry has issued 22 notices against transportation companies since the price of diesel was floated a week ago.

“We conducted 50 inspections under Ops Kesan 2.0 and issued 20 written notices under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act against various transportation companies,” said its Johor director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo.

“Another two notices were issued based on public complaints against a towing company in Ulu Tiram on June 11 and a transportation company in Muar on June 14,” she told reporters after attending a price surveillance programme for Hari Raya Aidiladha at KipMart Tampoi yesterday.

She said Section 21 allows for investigations into pricing methodologies and potential profiteering practices of these companies.

“The notice was given to logistics companies that are mostly based in Johor Baru, Kluang, Pontian and Batu Pahat.

“All company owners have been given six days to respond to our notices and provide justification for any increases in their service prices,” she said.

Starting June 10, diesel prices have been floated.

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had announced last week that the weekly retail price of unsubsidised diesel will subsequently be announced every Wednesday.

In KUANTAN, the state Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has issued 16 notices to traders registered under the SKDS 2.0.

Its director Jezlily Jamaluddin said the Goods Information Verification Notice was issued as a result of inspections carried out on 56 business companies under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act.

During the implementation of Ops Kesan 2.0, she said they received four complaints related to the increase in the price of goods and services.

“All complaints have been investigated and the companies or businesses were given notices to submit more information regarding the increase in the price of goods and services,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Diesel , Subsidy , Price Increase , KPDN

Next In Nation

Cleaner shot in the leg at Setia Alam mall
Police confirm shooting at Setia Alam shopping mall
Sultan of Selangor graced the Selangor state CNY celebration
Johor contributes 17.1% of Malaysia’s GDP, says Onn Hafiz
76 storm-affected families in Sekijang receive RM76,000 in aid
2,076 GISBH-linked individuals to join Mais rehabilitation programme
Flood evacuees drop to 3,082 in Sarawak, unchanged at 721 in Sabah
Kelantan Domestic Trade ministry seizes petrol worth RM10,000
Motorcyclist killed in Pontian accident, car driver injured
Cops investigate death of young woman in Kempas

Others Also Read