Nationwide Inspections Target Pricing Irregularities Amid SST Review, LPG Misuse Also Under Probe

KOTA BHARU, July 8 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) conducted inspections of 281 premises nationwide involving 1,292 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) under ‘Op Kesan 4.0’ from July 1 to 7 to monitor price movements and safeguard consumer interests.

Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the operation aligns with the government’s ongoing review and expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) framework, aimed at detecting pricing irregularities and preventing profiteering.

“So far, two notices to attend interviews under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 have been issued, involving six SKUs, and the cases have been resolved,” he told reporters after a stakeholder engagement session on the amended Supply Control Regulations 2021 with the Kelantan Food Traders Association here today.

Another four companies have received similar notices and are currently engaged in discussions with the ministry and they are expected to be called in this week, he said.

As of July 7, KPDN had received 16 complaints related to the operation, all of which are under investigation.

Armizan said enforcement efforts will focus on four key assessment areas namely the list of goods and services, registered businesses and companies, registration dates and price/service charge movements, as well as margin analysis for possible profiteering.

Separately, Armizan raised concerns over the misuse of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, citing a rise in cases where traders purchase domestic LPG in bulk, which are meant for household use, and illegally resell it to industrial users at lower prices.

“Through ‘Op Gasak’, we’ve found widespread decanting activities, where subsidised gas is transferred into industrial cylinders and sold for profit,” he said.

He noted that this not only undermines government subsidies but also disrupts market prices, as some companies are offering industrial gas below market value, impacting legitimate sellers.

He said the absence of a purchase limit allows some traders to exploit the system, adding that the ministry will step up control mechanisms and work closely with stakeholders to address the issue.

“We are not taking this lightly. Action will be guided by enforcement strategies identified through continued engagement,” he said.

-- BERNAMA