MELAKA, Jan 16 — Nine of the 317 cases recorded by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) in Melaka last year involved Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) offences.

State Unity, Information, Human Resources and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said they include traders selling price-controlled items over the maximum price set and failing to place pink price tags on those items.

"For the duration of the Chinese New Year SHMMP period from January 15 to 29, the Melaka KPDN has mobilised a total of 90 enforcement officers to strategic locations such as public markets, pasar tani and shopping centres catering to festive essentials.

"We also want to remind traders that stern action will be taken against them for failing to adhere to the rules under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,” he told reporters here today.

Earlier, he launched the Chinese New Year 2023 SHMMP at a shopping complex in Cheng here. The event was also attended by Melaka KPDN director Norena Jaafar.

Ngwe said last year, the Melaka KPDN inspected 30,021 premises and confiscated various goods totalling RM4.9 million apart from issuing compounds totalling RM91,150.

At the same time, he said the KPDN will not compromise with traders who fail to display the price tags on goods and immediate action will be taken against them.

He said this follows inspections by KPDN enforcement officers who found that there were many recalcitrant traders, including in Jonker Walk, who did not display price tags even though they knew it was an offence.

"We also want to remind them (traders) not to take advantage of tourists by charging them different sales prices,” he added. — Bernama