SUBANG JAYA: More than 200 cases of non-compliance under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) have been recorded in Selangor over the past two years, says the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
KPDN Selangor director Mohd Zuhairi Mat Radey said a total of 224 cases were detected across the 5,682 inspected premises in the state.
Among the offences include not displaying the pink tag for items listed under the SHMMP, selling the said items above the maximum prices and also failure to display prices.
For SHMMP during the Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali celebrations this year, Mohd Zuhairi said some 1,951 premises were inspected.
“Of the number, enforcement action was taken against 222 premises,” he told reporters after an enforcement inspection at a supermarket here on Tuesday (Dec 23).
He explained that those found selling products above the set SHMMP prices face financial penalties and possible jail terms.
Individuals found guilty by the court can be fined up to RM100,000 and imprisoned for no longer than three years or both, or be compounded up to RM50,000.
Companies can be fined up to RM500,000 by the court or face compounds up to RM250,000.
Traders who fail to display the pink price tag, which indicates items associated with the SHMMP, can be fined up to RM10,000 by the court or compounded up to RM5,000.
Companies found guilty of this offence meanwhile can face fines up to RM20,000 by the court or compounds up to RM10,000.
Mohd Zuhairi added that the SHMMP also inspects the validity of weighing scales and the availability of supplies and provisions.
He assured that there are sufficient food supplies in Selangor, with inspections carried out round the clock to enable swift action to be taken in affected areas, where necessary.
“We will take strict action against any non-compliance. This creates a self-regulatory ecosystem among traders while also ensuring consumer protection,” he said.
A total of 14 items have been listed under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for the Christmas season.
The items included in the scheme are imported bone-in mutton, imported cabbage from Indonesia and China (excluding Beijing cabbage), carrots from China, tomatoes, red chillies, green capsicum, red onions, yellow onions, imported potatoes from China.
For Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan, the controlled items also include live pigs (farm level), pork belly and pork meat and fat.
The SHMMP is also in place for chicken wings, and live mature chickens, for Sarawak.
