CONSUMERS have been urged to report to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) if any trader imposes conditions such as requiring the purchase of 1kg of premium white sugar before they can buy coarse granulated sugar. 

Penang KPDN director S Jegan said the imposing of such conditions was wrong and could be prosecuted under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. 

He, however, said thus far the ministry has not received any complaint regarding the matter and urged consumers to come forward if such incidents occurred so that action could be taken against errant traders. 

“If there are traders who set the condition that to buy normal sugar consumers have to buy premium sugar first, then that is indeed wrong. 

“There are also enforcement officers to conduct regular inspections at the premises to ensure that traders comply with the conditions, especially for controlled goods,” he said after launching the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) for Christmas today.  

Jegan said a total of 174 enforcement officers and 64 monitoring officers were assigned to strategic locations such as public markets, farmers’ markets and shopping centres throughout the implementation period of SHMMP from today until December 27. 

From January 1 to December 19, 46,079 premises throughout Penang were inspected with 777 cases reported of various offences involving seizures worth RM3.38 million, RM633,300 in compounds, and RM24,000 in fines. 

During that period, a total of 2,264 complaints were received, of which 861 related to the price of goods and services, 156 related to the supply of controlled goods, and the rest were on other matters. 

“The Rahmah Sales programme is ongoing and a total of 470 sales have been held in 13 parliamentary constituencies and 40 state constituencies throughout Penang. 

“A total of 483,350 visitors were recorded with total sales reaching RM16.5 million,” he said. – Bernama, December 23, 2023.