Practise 3M to avoid being exploited by traders: Jainab
Published on: Monday, March 02, 2015
Penampang: More than 1,000 branches of large supermarkets nationwide, including in Sabah and Sarawak, are participating in the Government's Price Reduction Campaign 2015. As a result, State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said more than 82,000 consumer products are on offer with discounts of up to 70 per cent. "This is part of the Government's initiative to lighten the burden of the people. The Government appreciates the effort and co-operation of the hypermarkets and supermarkets involved in the campaign."To combat the rising cost of living is a difficult task, but the Government believes that the situation can still be controlled so that the effect on the people is minimised if all parties involved co-operate to overcome it," she said.
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She said this at the State-level launch of the Government's nationwide Price Reduction Campaign 2015 through the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) Ministry at Milimewa Superstore in Bundusan, Penampang, on Sunday.Among hypermarkets and supermarkets involved in the campaign are The Store, Milimewa, Giant, Servay, Pacific, Mydin, Tesco, Aeon Big and 99 Speedmart, among others .Jainab said the event on Sunday showed that although the price of fuel had recently gone up again, prices of consumer goods could be reduced through discussions with traders and their suppliers.She said that as of 2014, there were 3,744 premises nationwide that have been awarded fair price shop status. In Sabah, about 20 businesses have been accorded the status last year.
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"So I ask all companies that have been recognised as fair price shop to continue to give quality service and offer fair prices to consumers." On the issue of price increases due to rising fuel prices, Jainab said traders and suppliers should not use the excuse of fuel price increases to increase their prices.
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"They should discuss with KPDNKK and manufacturers if they want to increase their prices due to fuel price increase," she said.On controlled items during festivities, Jainab said traders could not sell the controlled items beyond the maximum prices set by the Government. "There will be a pink price sticker to separate it from other goods. However, they are encouraged to sell it at lower than the maximum prices set if the prices supplied to them are lower."She reminded traders that stern action will be taken under the Price Control and Anti- Profiteering Act 2011 against those who failed to comply with the rules under the scheme."Individual can be fined up to RM100,000 and/or jailed not more than three years or compounded RM50,000, while companies can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded RM250,000."Individuals who failed to place the pink price tag on price controlled items can be fined RM10,000 or compounded RM5,000, while companies can be fined RM20,000 or compounded up to RM10,000."On the number of consumer complaints received by KPDNKK, Jainab said for 2014 the ministry recorded 14,089 complaints.She said records showed that for 2014, 13,507 (95.87pc) of the 14,089 complaints received were solved compared to 2013 where only 10,864 (91.7pc) from 11,851 complaints were solved."We also wish to remind consumers that the power is with them. Consumers have the power of the three Ms and they should use it wisely. "The first M is 'Memilih' (to choose), which is to choose fair price shops which have a sticker to show they are fair price shops. "The second M is 'Memboikot' (boycott) where they can refuse to patronise shops that are not offering fair prices. The third M is 'Melapor' (to report) where with proof the authorities can use the acts to take action, she said, adding that many consumers seemed only to complain on price increases on the Internet and social media, including Facebook, rather than direct to KPDNKK.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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