THE Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) launched Ops Pasar (Sayur 2) nationwide yesterday to investigate reports of rising vegetable prices, which are alleged to have been hiked by up to 200%.

Its deputy minister Rosol Wahid said as of the first day, 43 premises and 131 types of vegetables such as choy sum (sawi), beans, broccoli and red chilli had been inspected, covering all levels of the distribution network nationwide, namely suppliers, wholesalers and retailers.

“The ministry has never taken the complaints of consumers and traders on the increase in the price of goods in the market lightly, because we also have families, relatives and friends who feel its repercussions as well.

“As of yesterday, KPDNHEP has issued 43 information verification notices and 40 notices to traders to confirm whether there is an element of profiteering from the sale of vegetables,” he said at the Petronas and KPDNHEP consumer safety campaign programme in Kuala Berang, Teregganu today.

Also present was Petronas Dagangan Berhad chief executive officer and managing director Azrul Osman Rani.

Rosol added that traders were given two days to respond, while for written notices, a period of five days was allocated to obtain feedback.

At the same time, he said 1,000 price monitoring officers had been assigned to monitor 1,500 locations daily to review and record changes in vegetable prices in the market.

In a separate development, Rosol, who is also Hulu Terengganu MP, said Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn Bhd was expected to respond to the ministry’s call to temporarily postpone the increase in bread prices tomorrow.

He said the recommendation was conveyed to the company in a meeting on Friday to seek justification for the price change.

“We are also thinking of mechanisms to help them (Gardenia) who are also affected by the increase in wheat prices.

“We want to create a win-win situation for both parties, where traders do not have to close the factory, while consumers are not burdened with a price increase of even 10 sen,” he said. – Bernama, November 28, 2021.