In Melaka, consumer goods worth almost RM1.7 million were confiscated by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in the first ten months of this year, as reported in the Legislative Assembly on Nov 29.
Allex Seah Shoo Chin, the Melaka entrepreneur, cooperative development and consumer affairs committee chairman, stated that 303 cases were registered from the start of the year to Oct 31, resulting in the seizures. He also mentioned that RM54,200 in compound notices were issued during the same period.
According to Seah, punitive action was initiated under Section 12(1) of the Consumer Protection Act (APP) 1999 for misleading information on prices and under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. Additionally, he mentioned that three enquiries and five complaints were received regarding the price of chicken at the wet market during the same period.
Up to the end of October, a total of 1,031 official complaints were recorded, most of which related to prices, Seah stated in response to a question from Zahari Abd Kalil regarding the rising prices of goods and shortage of essential consumer items during the sitting.
He also mentioned that the ministry frequently monitors and enforces matters relating to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to ensure that there is no price manipulation by irresponsible traders.
