KUCHING: A total of 17 essential goods will be placed under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for the Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations this year.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) said the scheme will be enforced from May 27 to June 4 in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival on May 30 and 31, and Hari Gawai on June 1.
KPDN said the scheme involves 12 controlled items in Sabah and Sarawak, and 11 items in the Federal Territory of Labuan, aimed at ensuring consumers can purchase necessities at reasonable prices while balancing the interests of traders.
For the Hari Gawai 2026 scheme in Sarawak, 12 items were listed compared to 11 last year, with imported buffalo meat from India added as a new controlled item.
The controlled items for Sarawak are live pigs, pork (meat and fat), pork belly, imported buffalo meat, live old chicken, chicken wings, imported round cabbage, garlic from China, curly dried chillies, whole coconuts, grated coconut and coconut milk.
KPDN said price comparisons between 2025 and 2026 showed five items recorded price reductions, while three items maintained their existing prices.
For the Kaamatan scheme in Sabah, the ministry listed 12 controlled items compared to 10 last year, with imported old ginger and potatoes from China added to the list.
The ministry said the controlled items and maximum prices were determined through discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), related agencies and industry players.
The scheme will be enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723), which allows the government to set maximum prices for selected goods.
KPDN enforcement officers will be deployed to strategic locations including public markets, farmers’ markets, tamu markets and shopping centres throughout the implementation period.
The ministry reminded traders to comply with the maximum prices and display pink price tags on controlled goods.
Individuals found selling controlled goods above the ceiling price can be fined up to RM100,000, jailed for up to three years, or both, while companies may be fined up to RM500,000.
KPDN said it would continue working with KPKM and industry players to ensure sufficient supply of controlled goods throughout the festive season, while carrying out intervention measures to address price and supply issues.
