SEVERAL traders, including butchers at the Larkin Sentral market in Johor Baru, are fleecing consumers by selling imported buffalo meat, imported mutton and several other items above the ceiling prices set under the maximum price scheme in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The unkind cut was disclosed by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub, who swooped down on the market today.

“I deliberately came and looked at this market because I received a lot of information about the prices (of goods here), which are sometimes very unreasonable,” he said after an inspection at the market today.

“That’s right, many foreigners (Singaporeans) buy here because it’s close to our border area. So I went to investigate, to see for myself, and there were stalls selling imported buffalo meat that do not follow the price set under the maximum price scheme.”

He said for example, the price of imported buffalo should be sold at RM20 per kg, but there are traders selling at RM24.

Salahuddin said there were also a few traders who still fail to put price tags on the goods, which is also an offence.

“So I regret this very much and I hope officials will be able to act quickly today, so that the people can shop at the prices we have set,” he said.

The Pulai MP has also instructed the ministry’s enforcement officers to act quickly to ensure that the rogue traders do not repeat the offence.

“So if (traders repeat the same offence) over and over again, the officers will not compromise and will take strict action against the traders because we (the government) have warned them many times,” he said.

“It is true that the ministry will look at this (problem in) Larkin Sentral market seriously because it is a focus area for foreigners and this will be a problem for local residents who also shop here. So I think we should be firm.” – Bernama, April 21, 2023.