Penang: The Penang Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has inspected seven out of nine rice processing factories in the state as part of investigations into the illegal mixing of local white rice with imported rice.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang KPDN director S. Jegan said rice samples collected during the inspections have been sent to the Malaysian Chemistry Department for analysis. He stated that the remaining two factories were excluded from the inspection as they do not engage in packaging and processing activities. The department is currently awaiting the test results from the Malaysian Chemistry Department.
Jegan addressed the media at a press conference following a price monitoring exercise under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for Aidilfitri 2025 at a local supermarket. The event was also attended by Penang KPDN chief enforcement officer Mohd Suffian Mohd Abbas. Jegan emphasized that any party found guilty of mixing local white rice with imported rice would face legal action under Section 5 of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.
In relation to the SHMMP, Jegan mentioned that the scheme would be in effect for 15 days, starting today until April 7, covering 26 essential items. A total of 137 enforcement officers and 62 price monitoring officers from Penang KPDN have been deployed to strategic locations such as public markets, farmers’ markets, and shopping centers to ensure compliance with the set prices and the use of pink labels for price-controlled items.
Jegan elaborated on the penalties for non-compliance, stating that individuals selling controlled goods above the maximum price could face fines up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, or be compounded up to RM50,000. Companies could be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded RM250,000. Additionally, failing to display pink price tags for price-controlled goods could result in fines up to RM10,000 for individuals or RM20,000 for companies, with respective compounds of RM5,000 and RM10,000.
Furthermore, Jegan reported that from January 1 to date, Penang KPDN has conducted inspections of 19,056 premises statewide, taking action in 272 cases for various offences. These actions have resulted in total seizures amounting to RM1.77 million and collected compounds of RM55,200.