SIBU: A total of 15,700 premises across Sarawak were inspected by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) between Jan 1 and Feb 10 as part of ongoing efforts to curb profiteering and breaches of trade laws.
KPDN Sarawak Director, Matthew Dominic Barin, said 308 cases involving various offences under price control and trade regulations were recorded during the period.
“From the inspections, the total value of seizures amounted to RM887,867.24, while compounds issued totalled RM67,700.
“The large-scale operation reflects the ministry’s continued commitment to ensuring traders comply with regulations, especially ahead of the festive season,” he said at a press conference after the Walkabout Programme and the launch of the 2026 Chinese New Year Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) at Farley Supermarket in Jalan Salim today.
Earlier, he led an inspection at the supermarket to assess traders’ compliance with the scheme and to ensure adequate supply of essential goods.
He said enforcement is carried out proactively and continuously, without waiting for complaints, as ministry officers remain on the ground to monitor the situation.
Under ‘Ops Kesan 5.0’, 79 Notices of Product Information Verification (NPMB) were issued involving 352 stock keeping units (SKU), along with seven additional written notices covering 11 items.
On the implementation of the SHMMP for Chinese New Year 2026, Matthew said the scheme will run for nine days from Feb 13 to 21.
A total of 16 essential items have been gazetted under price control during the period. These include white pomfret (200g–400g each), local garlic, imported garlic from China, large yellow onions, large red onions, short mustard/Japanese mustard, red chillies, imported round cabbage (Indonesia and China, except Beijing), imported carrots from China, white radish, imported potatoes from China, imported old ginger, chicken wings, live pigs (controlled at farm level only), pork belly, meat and lard (three layers).
“All listed items must display pink price tags,” he stressed.
A total of 207 enforcement officers and 101 price monitoring officers have been deployed statewide for the operation.
Matthew warned that individuals who sell goods above the maximum price face fines of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, while companies may be fined up to RM500,000.
“Failure to display the pink price tag carries a fine of up to RM10,000 for individuals and RM20,000 for companies,” he said, adding that the SHMMP aims to ensure a fair and ethical trading environment for consumers.
Members of the public with information on traders’ misconduct may lodge complaints via WhatsApp at 019-8488000, email e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my, the toll-free line 1-800-886-800, or through the KPDN EzAdu application.
Also present during the walkabout were Sarawak KPDN State Enforcement Chief, Mohamad Khairi Jamaludin; Sibu KPDN Branch Chief, Kelyn Bolhassan; Councillor Jenny Ting, representing the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government; Farley Group Chairman, Lau Siew Whye; and Farley Group Manager, Eiyen Lau.
