KPDNHEP will continue to conduct inspections and walkabouts to ensure all parties adhere to the rules and regulations

by SULHI KHALID/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE government will continue to monitor the prices of goods, particularly items listed under the Festive Season Price Control Scheme, ahead of the Christmas celebration next month.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (picture) said his ministry will conduct an engagement session with suppliers and industry players to ensure continuous supply during the festive season.

“Under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, our ministry will be implementing the maximum price control scheme from a week before Christmas and a week after,” he said at the launch of AEON Taman Maluri in Cheras, Selangor yesterday.

Saifuddin Nasution also urged retailers and suppliers to abide by the price control scheme, adding that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) will continue to conduct inspections and walkabouts to ensure all parties adhere to the rules and regulations.

The price control scheme was first implemented in 2000, under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (formerly Price Control Act 1946), according to KPDNHEP’s website.

Under the scheme, a number of essential festive season goods are identified as price-controlled goods, with their maximum selling price determined according to areas and districts for a specific period.

The scheme is enforced nationwide at the producer, wholesaler and retailer level, and covers Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai.

Separately, Saifuddin Nasution declined to remark on Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that a Cabinet reshuffle could be on the cards in the near future.

“I will not comment on that as I will leave the matter to the wisdom of the PM to do whatever he feels necessary,” he said.

On Wednesday, Dr Mahathir hinted at the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle following Pakatan Harapan’s defeat in the recent Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election.

Meanwhile, the newly refurbished AEON Taman Maluri Cheras, first established in 1989, now provides consumers with a fresh variety of selections. Shoppers are now able to access the shopping mall via the mass rapid transit (MRT).

With its strategic location, the MRT facilities connecting Kajang to Sungai Buloh are expected to increase the number of visitors to the shopping complex.

AEON Co (M) Bhd said in May this year it has set aside about RM500 million for refurbishment and expansion works at selected shopping malls, to be utilised in the financial year ending Dec 31, 2019.

AEON currently operates 34 departmental stores cum supermarkets and 28 shopping malls in Malaysia.

It also manages six branches of standalone supermarket business MaxValu, 61 outlets of Wellness pharmaceutical chain and 37 branches of flat-price store Daiso.