KPDN Raids Supermarket For Imposing Conditions On Purchase of Cooking Oil Packets

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) through its Enforcement Division in Putrajaya took action against a supermarket in Semenyih following complaints regarding the imposition of conditions for the purchase of one-kilogramme (1kg) packets of cooking oil.

The complainant alleges that consumers who wish to purchase a box of 1 kg packets of cooking oil, totalling 17 kg, are required to make other purchases at the supermarket with a minimum value of RM300.

KPDN director-general (Enforcement) Datuk Azman Adam said that following the complaint, a team of undercover KPDN enforcement officers conducted a covert operation at the premises in question.

"The officers found in the test purchase revealed that they were required to purchase other items before being allowed to buy the cooking oil packets.

"During the test purchase, other items totalling RM303.65 were purchased before the officer was permitted to buy 17 packets of 1 kg cooking oil for a total of RM42.50. The transaction and the incident were also recorded to assist in the investigation," he said in a statement today.

Following that, he said the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) has opened a case for investigation under Section 19 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) for allegedly imposing conditions in the sale of scheduled controlled goods.

A quantity of packaged cooking oil, business documents, transaction receipts, and related test purchase items were also seized for further investigation, with a total seizure value of RM104.

KPDN issued a stern warning to all traders not to impose any unauthorised purchase conditions on consumers in the sale of controlled goods.

Traders must also always comply with the provisions of the law in force and not take advantage to the detriment of consumer interests.

Azman added that KPDN will continue to enhance monitoring and enforcement from time to time and will not hesitate to take strict action against any party found to have committed offences under the laws enforced by the ministry.

-- BERNAMA