PETALING JAYA: The Negri Sembilan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry imposed a RM200 fine on the owner of a restaurant in Lukut here after a viral incident revealed that they were charging RM10 for a small bottle of mineral water.
In a Sinar Harian report, state director, Muhammad Zahir Mazlan, said that the fine was issued immediately under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011.
"The ministry received public information regarding a 1.25-litre bottle of mineral water being sold at RM10.
"Following the complaint, a team of enforcement officers from the Port Dickson domestic trade branch inspected the premises at 11am on Wednesday (Oct 23)," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, the operation, led by Assistant Enforcement Officer Mohd Zaihiri Tambi Adam, found that the establishment had failed to display a price tag on the mineral water offered for sale.
He added that this violation contravened the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Goods and Services Charges) Order 2020.
"Traders are advised to display price tags on every item sold to avoid confusion and to help consumers make wise purchasing decisions," he said.
Previously, the media reported that a consumer was shocked after being charged RM10 for a small bottle of mineral water at a restaurant in Port Dickson.
She explained that she had questioned the price with the restaurant owner, but the owner claimed that the high price was due to the brand of the mineral water.
"Assalamualaikum, I just want to ask... a bottle of mineral water for RM12... I was shocked... I told the owner, that at convenience stores it’s less than RM10.
"He said never mind, he gave it for RM10. He claimed he didn't know the price because his staff bought it, and the staff said it was a good brand. I drink mineral water regularly, and no way does it cost RM12 per bottle, cik oi," she wrote.
In the comments section, the woman also mentioned that she only found out about the price when she went to pay the full bill after finishing her meal at the restaurant.
