KUCHING: Twelve types of goods have been classified as price controlled items under the 2025 Chinese New Year Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP), effective Jan 25 to Feb 2.
Matthew Dominic Barin, the Director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), said the SHMMP applies for four days before the celebration, one day during, and four days after.
“The items controlled and gazetted under the scheme include White Pomfret, White Shrimp, Red Chili, Imported Round Cabbage (from Indonesia and China except Beijing), Carrot, White Radish, Imported Potatoes (from China), Ginger (Imported), Chicken Wings, Live Pigs (maximum price at the farm level only), Pork Belly, and Pork (Meat and Fat).
“The SHMMP for Chinese New Year 2025 will be enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011 at the wholesaler and retailer levels.
“The gazetted prices can be checked on the ministry’s website at www.kpdn.gov.my,” he said during a press conference after a walkabout at E-mart Boulevard here today.
The walkabout was also attended by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
On a related note, Matthew said as of January 23, a total of 12,020 premises have been inspected by KPDN Sarawak enforcement officers, resulting in 189 cases with seizures valued at RM1.142 million and compound totaling RM35,900.
He stated that the most common violation was failure to display price tags, an offence under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011 and the Supply Control Act 1961.
Meanwhile, he also said that 188 enforcement officers and 92 price monitoring officers from KPDN have been deployed to strategic locations in Sarawak to monitor the availability of supplies and compliance through inspections at public markets, farmers’ markets, and shopping centres throughout the SHMMP period.
“Inspections are conducted to monitor non-compliance or investigate consumer complaints so that any violations by traders can be acted upon in accordance with the established laws,” he explained.
He added that KPDN Sarawak is also increasing the presence of enforcement officers and price monitoring officers at consumer hotspots to raise awareness about a safe and ethical business and shopping environment.
