KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will expand its PATUH price compliance programme to 16 food courts next year as it steps up efforts to curb profiteering and protect consumers at public hotspots.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fuziah Salleh said PATUH promotes clear price labelling, transparent transactions and the use of verified weighing and measuring instruments among traders.
"The selection is based on hotspots or places where people gather.
"That is why it does not only focus on tourist areas, but also markets and rest and recreation (R&R) areas," she said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 19).
Fuziah was replying to Baling MP Hassan Saad, who asked about the performance indicators used to assess the effectiveness of the Compliant Tourism Focus Zone (ZTPP) programme in reducing complaints of excessive pricing.
She said the PATUH programme was introduced in 2025 and currently covers 16 markets and 20 R&R stops.
This year, the ministry introduced the ZTPP programme at 16 tourist hotspots nationwide.
Fuziah said PATUH covers five areas: price labelling, verified weighing and measuring instruments, clear sales transactions with receipts, honest dealings, and prices without elements of profiteering.
The programme is assessed through three performance indicators.
Compliance with licensing, price labelling and weighing requirements makes up 70% of the assessment, while cleanliness and upkeep carry a 25% weightage.
The remaining 5% is based on traders' participation in promoting the programme.
Tenggara MP Manndzri Nasib asked whether the ministry planned to widen the ZTPP programme's coverage in Johor, particularly in support of Visit Malaysia 2026 and Visit Johor 2026.
He suggested that Johor Premium Outlets and Johor Baru's Bazaar Karat be considered, noting that only Kampung Sungai Melayu was among the 16 selected locations in the state.
Fuziah said the programme focuses on areas with high visitor traffic.
She said Johor Premium Outlets and Bazaar Karat were not included in the ministry's current plans, but it was open to considering the proposal.
