Op Kesan 4.0: KPDN Inspects 375 Premises Since July 1

SERDANG, July 9 (Bernama) -- A total of 1,698 stock keeping units (SKUs) at 375 premises nationwide were inspected by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) through Op Kesan 4.0 conducted from July 1 until yesterday.

The ministry’s Deputy Director General (Operations), Shamsul Nizam Khalil, said the inspections covered all business categories, namely manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers.

He said they were carried out to ensure traders did not take advantage of the expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) by increasing the price of goods or engaging in profiteering.

“For the scope of enforcement, it covers goods and services involved in the sales tax rate review and related SST expansion. This includes monitoring goods that are not involved in the SST rate review, such as essential items, ” he told reporters after an inspection at the Selangor Wholesale Market, Seri Kembangan here today.

Shamsul Nizam said that out of the 375 premises inspected, six Notices to Appear under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 were issued, with two of them having appeared and agreed to postpone the price increase and maintain the existing price.

During the implementation of Op Kesan 4.0, he said, 17 complaints were received, and all of them are still under investigation.

He said strict action would be taken against quarters found to increase prices unreasonably, where individuals convicted of profiteering could be fined up to RM100,000 or three years in prison, or both, while companies could be fined up to RM500,000 if convicted.

“The ministry is also open to providing guidance on the basic principles and mechanisms for identifying profiteering, to ensure that traders remain informed about the laws currently in force,” he said, adding that the action is part of the KITA GEMPUR initiative which was launched on Oct 19, 2024 in addressing the issue of business manipulation.

He said those with information on traders manipulating prices are advised to lodge complaints through the Enforcement Command Centre at 03-88826245/6088; WhatsApp 012-6654292; at https://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my; Call Centre 1-800-886-800 and Ez ADU KPDN application.

-- BERNAMA