Ceiling prices for 13 items during Chinese New Year

Friday, February 01, 2013 - 13:07

by Ikram Ismail

Location: 

KUALA LUMPUR

THE Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Ministry has announced the ceiling prices for 13 items of goods for the Chinese New Year celebrations from Feb 6 to 17.

Among the items are chicken, eggs, white prawn, pomfret fish, livestock pork and cabbage.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the ministry would ensure that traders did not overcharge for the items.

“At the same time, it is compulsory for traders to put up pink price tags to differentiate the items from the other goods,” he said.

“Our 2,000-man enforcement team, with the help of a consumer organisation, will monitor the prices,” he said.

“Those caught will be punished under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 with a penalty of between RM5,000 and RM250,000.

“Last year, 76 traders were caught selling goods above the ceiling prices, and another 25 traders were caught for failing to put up price tags.”

Ismail said the maximum prices for the 13 items would differ by about 10 per cent in the 146 districts nationwide.

Chicken will be sold at RM7 per kg, egg up to 35 sen each, imported cabbage (excluding those from China and Indonesia) at RM3.30 per kg and pork at up to RM22 per kg.

Consumers were advised to complain to 1-800-886-800 if they were overcharged.