Enforcement, undercover operations to prevent profiteering, arbitrary price hikes

The Star

27-05-2025

Lee (second right) checking vegetable prices during a walkabout in Pasar Awam Taman Perling. He says not all price hike will be regarded as profiteering.
CONTINUOUS enforcement efforts, including the issuance of written notices, are being made to protect consumers against unreasonable price hikes, says Johor exco Lee Ting Han.
The state investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman said Johor government was working closely with Domes­tic Trade and Cost of Living Minis­­­try (KPDN) to prevent tra­ders from raising prices arbitra­rily.
'Among the operations was Ops Kesan 3.0, which was aimed at tackling the profiteering of goods and services.
'To date, 519 written notices have been issued and 91 cases are being investigated under the Price Control and Anti-Profi­teer­ing Act 2011,' he said at the state assembly in Kota Iskan­dar.
He was replying to N. Saraswati (BN-Kemelah), who asked about the state government's initiatives to prevent traders from profiteering.
Lee said the Act served stern penalties, including fines of up to RM500,000 for corporate offenders and up to RM100,000 or three years' imprisonment for indivi­duals. Repeat offenders may see penalties doubled.
He also outlined other initiatives, such as the Festive Season Maximum Price Schemes, that were carried out during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.
'During the Chinese New Year period, 307 inspections were carried out with 123 enforcement actions taken, while Hari Raya Aidilfitri saw 477 inspections and 85 actions,' he said.
The state executive councillor also highlighted the implementation of Ops Sabur, an undercover operation designed to detect unethical pricing practices, along with real-time market surveillance via the Price Catcher system.
However, Lee said that not every price increase was regarded as profiteering.
'A complete assessment based on cost data and price trends must be made to ensure fairness to both consumers and traders,' he explained.
On a separate matter, Lee said the state government had also expanded the Jualan Rahmah Madani sales programme, offering staple goods such as poultry, rice, cooking oil and flour at discounts ranging from 10% to 30% of the market price.
'These initiatives are being rolled out across all districts in Johor.
'It is part of our continued commitment to ensuring that the people of Johor are protected from unjustified price hikes and unethical business practices,' he said.