KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) will conduct an immediate inspection and investigation into alleged food price hike in Sungai Asap.
This was disclosed by Sarawak KPDNHEP director Datuk Stanley Tan, who added that this would be conducted on Sunday (March 26) following complaints posted on social media.
On Thursday (March 24), a netizen alleged that prices of food had increased in Sungai Asap.
The netizen alleged that retailers there were increasing prices without justification and expressed hope that the authorities act immediately as many folk in the area were farmers and were low-wage earners.
“However, Bintulu KPDNHEP is requesting for more information related to the complaints, whether it is the price of basic necessities or cooked food.
“This will facilitate for case actions to be taken, including a cost study can be made on this issue if a serious offence occurred,” Tan said.
Tan stated that the last inspection in Sungai Asap and Tubau town was conducted on Feb 24 in which 15 premises were inspected – 14 in Sungai Asap and one at the Tubau oil palm plantation.
He said price tags were displayed on each item sold at the premises inspected, including the use of special price tags. Supply of basic necessities was adequate and received as usual, adding that the scales used had been verified.
“In terms of the price of daily necessities and cooked food, it is quite different from Bintulu town. This is because there are no wholesalers or suppliers in the Sungai Asap area and most traders take their own supply from Bintulu.”
At the same time, he revealed that Bintulu KPDNHEP had noted a social media post on March 21 related to high diesel prices.
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