KUCHING: The government today officially launched the Gawai Dayak Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) at Emart Tabuan Jaya.
The scheme launch was officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian alongside Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin.
The scheme, which takes effect for nine days — five days before Gawai Dayak, one day on the celebration itself on 1 June, and three days after — covers 12 categories of essential goods commonly purchased during the festive period.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Sim praised the ministry’s approach as a reflection of Sarawak’s well-known spirit of inclusivity.
“I want to thank the ministry for having the flexibility and sensibility to address the needs of the people,” he said.
The price-controlled goods are: live mature chicken; chicken wings; imported buffalo meat; garlic; imported round cabbage; dried curly chilli; coconut, grated coconut and coconut milk; pork belly, pork meat and fat; and live pig.
The scheme is enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011 at both wholesale and retail levels.
The full list of gazetted prices is available for public reference on the ministry’s official website at www.kpdn.gov.my.
“Traders are reminded to display pink price tags — not yellow — on all price-controlled items as a mandatory requirement under the scheme,” said Matthew during the press conference.
To ensure compliance across the state, KPDN Sarawak has mobilised 207 enforcement officers and 101 price monitoring officers, who will be deployed to business premises including public markets, farmers’ markets, community markets, and shopping centres throughout Sarawak.
