Lilis Saslinda (third from right) checking items under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme at a hypermarket in Johor Baru on Dec 23, 2025.
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has carried out 1,233 inspections under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) throughout 2025.
State director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said the inspections were conducted during major celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali.
“During these three major festivities, the ministry recorded a total of 354 cases compared with 78 cases in 2024, with the most common offence being the failure to display pink price tags.
“Out of the 354 cases, 343 involved traders who did not put up the pink price tags, followed by offences such as not displaying price tags and selling above the controlled price,” she said.
Lilis Saslinda was speaking at a press conference after launching the SHMMP for Christmas 2025 at a hypermarket in Tebrau on Tuesday (Dec 23).
She advised traders not to take advantage of the festive season by arbitrarily raising prices and urged consumers to lodge complaints if they encounter violations.
“Consumers should be empowered, vigilant and brave in reporting offences, while traders must continue to uphold ethics and integrity in their business dealings,” she said.
She added that the state ministry will continue daily monitoring and enforcement to ensure consumer interests remain protected throughout the festive period.
“The SHMMP for Christmas is being carried out to ensure fair pricing for consumers and reasonable profit margins for traders during the holiday season,” she said.
Lilis Saslinda said the scheme is effective from Dec 23 to Dec 27 and covers nine essential items in Johor, out of 14 nationwide. Among the controlled items are imported bone-in mutton, potatoes, round cabbage, carrots and red chillies, commonly used in festive meals.
She said the initiative aims to create a “win-win” situation for both consumers and traders.
“All controlled items must be clearly labelled with pink price tags to inform consumers,” she said, adding that some retailers, including Jaya Grocer, were offering prices lower than the maximum controlled price.
“For the first two days of the scheme, enforcement officers will focus on advocacy, including reminders and warnings, giving traders the opportunity to comply.
“However, action will be taken against traders who continue to flout the rules, including selling items above the maximum controlled price,” she added.
She noted that during previous festive seasons, enforcement checks had resulted in a rise in compliance and awareness among traders.
“While the number of cases has increased compared with last year, we remain optimistic that traders will act ethically and reduce violations during the festive period,” she said.
She encouraged consumers to be vigilant and report any non-compliance through the available complaint platforms.
“Traders must continue to uphold ethics and integrity, while the ministry will continue daily monitoring to protect consumer interests,” she said.
The SHMMP, enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, is part of the ministry’s ongoing effort to stabilise prices and prevent profiteering during major celebrations.
Consumers and traders alike are reminded to cooperate with the scheme, ensuring that festive shopping remains fair and affordable.
