Kota Kinabalu: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Sabah has recorded 40 cases involving offences under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011, with compounds totalling RM4,900, following inspections at 3,620 business premises statewide from Jan 1 to May 24 this year.
Sabah KPDN Director Shahril Nizam Shahidin said all offences involved non-compliance with AKHAP regulations, including selling controlled goods above the maximum price and failing to display pink price tags for controlled items during festive seasons.
He said strict enforcement would continue against traders who fail to comply with regulations under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for Pesta Kaamatan 2026, including selling controlled goods above the maximum price, which is an offence under AKHAP 2011.
“For individuals, offenders may be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed for not more than three years, or both, in addition to compounds of up to RM50,000. Companies may be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the SHMMP Pesta Kaamatan 2026 walkabout at Servay Hypermarket here, recently.
He added that offences involving failure to display pink price tags for controlled goods may also be compounded, with individuals facing fines of up to RM10,000 or compounds of RM5,000, while companies may be fined up to RM20,000 or compounds of RM10,000.
Commenting on the enforcement operation led by Sabah KPDN deputy chief enforcement officer Fredeck Kantod, Shahril said the SHMMP for Pesta Kaamatan 2026 would be enforced from May 29 until June 4, covering a nine-day period comprising three days before the celebration, one day during the celebration and five days after Kaamatan.
He said the scheme was implemented to stabilise prices and ensure sufficient supply of essential goods throughout the festive season.
“A total of 204 enforcement officers and 72 price monitoring officers have been deployed at strategic locations across Sabah to monitor supply and price compliance at public markets, farmers’ markets and shopping centres,” he said.
Shahril said 12 items had been gazetted under the SHMMP, namely chicken wings, imported buffalo meat from India, dried curly chillies, Indian small red onions, large red onions, large yellow onions, garlic from China, imported old ginger, potatoes from China, live pigs at farm level, pork belly, as well as pork meat and fat.
He said the scheme reflects the government’s concern to ensure people of various races and cultures can celebrate in a harmonious and cheerful atmosphere without being burdened by rising prices of essential goods.
“This approach also allows enforcement to be carried out more effectively while enabling immediate action to be taken on consumer complaints in the event of non-compliance,” he said.
He added that the public can check prices of controlled goods through KPDN’s official website and urged consumers to channel complaints via the ministry’s WhatsApp line at 019-848 8000, the e-Aduan KPDN portal, the Call Centre at 1-800-886-800, or the Ez ADU KPDN smartphone application.
