SUBANG JAYA: Those pink price tags on selected food items sold at premises are more than just labels.
Apart from indicating that they are controlled-price items under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme for Christmas, traders who fail to display these tags can face hefty fines and compounds.
The 14 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 and imported potatoes from China.
For Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, the controlled items include live pigs (farm level), pork belly, and pork meat and fat.
The price scheme is also in place for chicken wings and live mature chickens for Sarawak.
This was the reminder issued by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), which carried out enforcement inspections for the Christmas season price scheme running from now till Dec 27.
KPDN Selangor director Mohd Zuhairi Mat Radey said 224 cases of non-compliance under the price scheme were recorded in the state since 2023 following inspections across 5,682 premises.
Apart from not displaying the pink price tags, offences include selling the items above the maximum prices and failure to display prices.
“We will take strict action against any non-compliance. This creates a self-regulatory ecosystem among traders while also ensuring consumer protection,” Mohd Zuhairi told reporters after an inspection at a supermarket here yesterday.
He said those found guilty of selling said products above the controlled prices can be fined up to RM100,000 by the court or imprisoned for no longer than three years or both, and also possibly be compounded up to RM50,000 under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act.
Companies can be fined up to RM500,000 by the court or face compounds up to RM250,000.
Mohd Zuhairi also gave an assurance 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.
He said enforcement rounds will also inspect weighing scales and the availability of provisions.
“Our focus will be on ensuring that there are no sudden price increases during the festive season,” he added.
