THE Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has received 579 complaints on profiteering related to the Sales and Service Tax (SST) up until yesterday since the tax was implemented on September 1.

The ministry’s Enforcement Division (Anti-Corruption Unit) chief in Putrajaya, Ab Hafidz Ab Rahim, said in the same period, 16,310 premises and 404,519 goods were inspected to monitor prices set by traders.

“Op Catut 5.0 Phase II saw numerous complaints received, mainly on price increases. As a result of these complaints, some 146 notices under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 were issued.

“Upon monitoring, changes in prices were seen. There was a fluctuation in prices but this is under control. The ministry will act firmly against traders who deliberately make unreasonable profits by raising the prices of goods under the pretense of the SST,” he said.

He said this after delivering a SST briefing at Auditorium P. Ramlee, RTM, in Kuching today. – Bernama, October 2, 2018.