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KUALA LUMPUR Traders not affected by the increase in Sales and Service Tax (SST) have been warned not to take advantage of the situation and raise prices to garner extra profits.
She emphasised that such actions are irresponsible and could result in penalties if found guilty.
“Only four categories are affected by the SST increase, namely hospitality; health and well-being; training and teaching centres; and laundry services with a threshold value exceeding RM500,000,” said Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh.
“Those who do not fall within these categories, including food and beverage traders, are urged not to exploit the situation by raising prices. The ministry will enforce the law,” she stated after a walkabout at the Pahang Rahmah Madani Sales Carnival in Dataran Anjung Pusat Bandar Jengka on Sunday (March 3).
Fuziah said she hoped the public would be more aware of SST-related information and advised those encountering unjustified price hikes to lodge complaints.
She said there were multiple channels for complaints, namely WhatsApp at 019-848 000, the EZ Aduan KPDN app, the ministry hotline at 1-800 88 800, or the ministry’s E-Aduan portal at eaduan.kpdn.gov.my.
She said since Ops Kesan was launched on March 1, the ministry had conducted more than 1,000 inspections nationwide with 26 notices issued to traders found to be in violation.
Meanwhile, in Kelantan, state ministry director Azman Ismail said that action would be taken against traders, including those in Ramadan bazaars, if there is evidence of profiteering.
Azman mentioned that although food vendors in Ramadan bazaars are not directly affected by the SST increase from 6% to 8%, monitoring is still being conducted.
He highlighted that under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, traders cannot make a profit of more than 50% of the cost.
“If there are traders involved in arbitrarily raising prices, we will take action under the stipulated Act,” he told BK. – BK
