13 Control Item During Christmas 2011

Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs (the ministry) on Monday announced setting maximum retail prices for 13 kinds of goods under the Price Control Scheme in conjunction with the festive Christmas celebration on 25 Dec.

Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said the pricing would be imposed for five days beginning 23 to December 27 in 146 areas and districts across the country.

Traders are required to sell goods does not exceed the maximum price and put a price tag to distinguish it pink for other items, he said at a news conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He said the list of the items are live chicken, standard, super chicken, turkey imports, local mutton bones, meat imported sheep bones, sheep meat imports without the bone, the thigh meat imported sheep bones, Grade A chicken eggs, chicken eggs, Grade B, Grade C eggs, tomatoes and green chilies Bengal.

He said the maximum retail prices for price-controlled goods to the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is RM5.90 per kilogram of live chicken, chicken standards (RM7), super chicken (RM7.80), turkey imports (RM25), local boned mutton (RM33 ), sheep meat imports invertebrates (RM20).

Imports of sheep meat without bones (RM24), thigh meat imported sheep bones (RM26), Grade A eggs (RM0.36 a), Grade B (RM0.35), Grade C (RM0.34), tomato (RM4.50 per kilogram) and green chillies Bengal (RM8.50).

Ismail Sabri said that an individual who fails to comply with regulations under the scheme by selling above the controlled price the ministry can be fined up to RM100, 000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or compounded up to RM50, 000 in accordance with the Price Control Act and the Anti-Profiteering 2011.

"For companies, they can be fined a maximum of RM500, 000 or compounded up to RM250, 000," he said.

For an individual who fails to put a price tag pink for price-controlled goods can be fined up to RM10, 000 or compounded up to RM5, 000 while the company they will be fined up to RM20, 000 or compounded up to RM10, 000 under the same Act.

However, Ismail Sabri said the prices of controlled items is different in other states and the public can get a list of prices for the state by calling toll free 1-800-886-800.

Ismail Sabri said the scheme was implemented to allow users to obtain essential goods during the festive season at affordable prices, ensuring the enforcement of price controls carried out effectively and prevent excessive price rises. - BERNAMA