IPOH - Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (KPDNHEP) of Perak will increase enforcement efforts and monitor the prices of goods during Ramadan.
Perak Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, National Integration and Civil Society committee chairman Datuk Abdul Yunus Jamahri said, comprehensive monitoring will be done at major locations, especially in bazaar Ramadan which is allowed to operate this year.
He said the price of goods and food should be controlled because people is already pressured by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"More than 200 enforcement officers will be moved throughout the state to monitor prices.
"In this case, all parties must contribute their best efforts and we hope price hikes will not happen.
"We advise the traders to not take advantage in the current situation and to the consumers, we remind them to be vigilant and ensure prices of goods are sold at a reasonable price,” he told the reporters on Tuesday.
He said this during the Consumer Day Carnival of Perak at Mydin Meru Raya supermarket which was also attended by Perak KPDNHEP Director, Saifullizan Kamarul Zaman.
Abdul Yunus said, as of now there are no official complaints reported to KPDNHEP related to increase in prices of goods and food.
He said most of the complaints,related to the price of goods, were made through media channels and social platforms.
"It's difficult to take action and enforce without an official complaint, therefore, we ask individuals who have information about price hikes of items to promptly notify to MDTCC," he explained.
He said, a total of 226 complaints were received by KPDNHEP Perak from Jan 1 until March 13.
He said the highest number of complaints are related to online transactions which is a total of 82 cases followed by 58 related complaints of price, confusing services (33), controlled goods (16) and services at motor vehicle workshops (11).
"Meanwhile, action has been taken to 310 cases in accordance with the KPDNHEP Act, ”he said.