By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Aug 18 — Selangor Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) warns sellers not to increase the price of face masks while the country is under Covid-19 pandemic attack.
Its director Muhamad Zikril Azan Abdullah said sellers who failed to follow the ruling are liable to a fine of up to half a million ringgit or jail according to the Price Control and Anti Profiteering Act 2011.
“Individuals that sell price-controlled goods above the maximum price is liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both or a compound not exceeding RM50,000, while for companies they are liable to a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or a compound not exceeding RM250,000,” he said.
Muhamad Zikril issued the warning after conducting checks on the price of face masks sold at Giant Hypermarket at Section 13 here yesterday.
He also reminded sellers to display the prices of controlled goods or be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or compound up to RM250,000.
“As for companies they can be fined up to RM100,000 or be liable to a compound not exceeding RM50,000,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said 2,117 premises were checked and 494 complaints received on the price of face masks from January to August 17 this year.
He said as a result of the complaints, seven cases were opened with the total value of seizures amounting to RM2,238.60 and RM30,000 compounds issued to errant sellers.
Starting August 15, the government has set the price of three-ply face masks at RM1 per unit compared to RM1.50 previously.
