Kota Kinabalu: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) disposed of an assortment of imitation goods worth RM375,210 at their exhibit warehouse, here, on Thursday.
Sports attire, shoes, slippers, bags, wristwatches, perfumes, shampoos, shavers, pen drives and DVDs, which were among items seized from 20 stores in the city, were destroyed.
The items were seized under the Trademarks Act 2019 and Trade Description Act 2011 in 11 cases investigated between 2019 and this year, said Sabah KPDN Enforcement Chief Zulfamy Mat Udi, who officiated the ceremony.
But wouldn’t it be wasteful for perfect items of clothing to be destroyed?
Zulfahmy said for special cases, they would only destroy the company logo and hand over anything salvageable to orphanages.
“However, this usually destroys the goods. Foodstuff like cooking oil we return it to the manufacturer for reuse, but for items like without the halal logo, they must be disposed of.
“The Department of Environment will assist in the disposal of large quantities of liquid materials like self-care products or even printer toners,” he said.
He warned unscrupulous businessmen against placing counterfeit items on the same rack as originals in an attempt to dupe consumers.
“This is dangerous especially when it involves foodstuff or medicine. There were cases involving counterfeit Panadols and ‘cooling waters’,” said Zulfahmy.
He said some companies like Adidas and Nike are quite particular in safeguarding their intellectual property, often following up on the case until the items are officially disposed of.
Sabah KPDN Director Georgie Abas said KPDN Sabah has carried out 18 disposals so far this year, involving an exhibit value of RM1,045,644. Of that value, RM396,998 has been turned into government revenue.
“As of November 21 this year, a total of 70,335 inspections were carried out at premises throughout Sabah.
“There were a total of 1,096 cases involving offences under the Price Control Act and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011, the Supply Control Act 1961, the Weights and Measures Act 1972, the Consumer Protection Act 1999, the Trademark Act 2019 and the Trade Description Act 2011, with a compound value of RM485,800, confiscation value of RM5,941,181 and fine value of RM123,000.
“In order to ensure the interests of consumers in the country are preserved, KPDN will always improve enforcement and take firm and fair action against offending parties to create a fair and conducive business environment.
“Traders are reminded to be more responsible and respect other people’s intellectual property and to always check the authenticity of the supplied goods.
“Consumers are also advised not to support the sale of fake goods that are not guaranteed in terms of quality and safety,” Georgie said.
