JOHOR BARU: The Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will deploy its enforcement personnel during Hari Raya Aidilfitri to make sure prices of goods remain affordable to consumers.
Its director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said that some 200 of its enforcement personnel would carry out checks at premises such as markets, hypermarkets, supermarkets and even sundry shops to prevent traders from taking advantage of the festive season to spike their prices.
“The ministry has placed our price monitoring team on standby for the upcoming festive season. Starting from the third day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, they will start going into premises throughout Johor to see the price trend.
“Sellers must not be naughty as we are approaching Hari Raya Aidilfitri where they should comply with the rules and regulations including displaying the price tags on the food items,” she added.
Lilis Saslinda said this when met after carrying out a visit to the Jualan Rahmah programme held in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri at Taman Mutiara Rini here on Sunday (April 7).
“So far, the ministry has issued a total of seven compound notices to Ramadan bazaar traders in accordance with the Price Control and Anti Profiteering Act 2011 for the offence of failing to display price tags,” she said.
Lilis Saslinda also said that there was sufficient stock of food items in Johor including those that are listed under the control price items for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Lilis Saslinda said that so far, the ministry has yet to receive any reports or complaints about interruptions in food supplies.
“The ministry has been proactive in carrying out checks before, during and after the festive season to make sure that food items supply will not see any disruption.
“However, if consumers find that some goods including those that are under the price-controlled list are lacking in their respective areas, please report it to the ministry immediately.
“We will immediately send a team to carry out investigation and inspection at such premises,” she said, adding that complaints can be made through the ministry’s app – EZ Adu KPDN, hotline number at 1-800-886-800 or WhatsApp at 019-848800.
She also said that consumers can lodge their complaints through the ministry’s website at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my or write an email at eaduan@kpdn.gov.my.