HAWKERS and petty traders’ associations in the peninsula have reacted strongly to the allegation by Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) that “many” food stalls, market traders, restaurants and grocery stores are not displaying price signages for their goods and services.

Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations president Voon Chin Leong said the problem was only confined to a minority.

He said this in response to CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader’s claim that many are not displaying their price list and as such were violating the Price Control Act 1946 (Amendment 1973).

Mohideen also urged the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to take action against these errant traders.

Voon told The Malaysian Insight that no fewer than 90% of business owners have been complying with the law since its introduction.

The errant ones make up only a small group, about 10% or less, he added.

Voon said traders know it was not worth flouting the law.

“By doing so they would be inviting trouble because once caught they would not only be ordered to shut down their business. They would also face a heavy monetary fine.

“Hawkers and petty traders only make minimal profit. So why take the risk?” he added.

Voon said a failure to display price signages could also lead to altercations with customers.

Federation of Selangor Traders’ Association chairman Tan Luan Huat, meanwhile, believed there are two reasons why some vendors did not display their prices.

“Firstly, enforcement by the authorities is lax. So the traders become bold, believing they can get away with it.

“Secondly, those selling cooked food have no standard price for the they offer.

“For example, curry noodles sold at one stall might be RM6 but RM8 at another, and RM9 at yet another one. The price difference is because the traders take into account the “different” ingredients that go into their dish.

“In some circumstances, some food sellers deliberately do not display price signages fearing consumers’ reactions to the varying prices.”

Despite all these, Tan said the association continues to urge traders to display their prices.

“The situation has improved,” he said.

Tan said at one point in time, about 30% of traders in the Klang Valley were deliberately flouting the law.

“Now, most of them comply. Some with additional explanations on the price variations – prices for large, medium and small portions, as well as additional charges for extra ingredients.”

Consumers should ask for prices

Boon Kok Choon, the head of the Federation of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Hawkers’ Associations complaints unit, however, has a piece of advice for consumers.

“Ask,” he said, as that would prevent possible altercations.

“When you are in a restaurant that does not display the prices of its food and drinks, ask what they are before placing your order.

“I believe the waiting staff will be more than happy to answer your queries.”

Boon admitted there are errant traders who take advantage of the fact that it is not possible for the authorities to check on business premises every day to see if sellers are complying with the law.

These traders are more likely to be found in areas frequented by tourists, he said.

“Especially roadside traders at tourist attractions. They have two prices – one for tourists and one for the locals.

“Without a price list, sellers can change prices on the spot. So my advice is to ask for prices first when there are none on display if you’re planning to buy.” – September 6, 2023.