Selangor: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry’s Deputy Director General (Operations), Shamsul Nizam Khalil, stated that the inspections covered all business categories, including manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. These inspections aimed to ensure traders did not exploit the expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) by raising prices or engaging in profiteering.

Shamsul Nizam explained that the enforcement scope included goods and services affected by the sales tax rate review and the related SST expansion. This also involved monitoring essential items not impacted by the SST rate review. During a briefing to reporters after an inspection at the Selangor Wholesale Market in Seri Kembangan, he highlighted that six Notices to Appear under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 were issued to traders, with two agreeing to postpone price increases.

He further disclosed that 17 complaints were received during the operation, all of which are under investigation. Emphasizing the consequences of profiteering, he warned that individuals found guilty could face fines of up to RM100,000 or three years in prison, or both, while companies could be fined up to RM500,000.

The ministry, as part of the KITA GEMPUR initiative launched on October 19, 2024, is committed to providing guidance on identifying profiteering, ensuring traders are well-informed about current laws. Shamsul Nizam encouraged the public to report price manipulation through various channels, including the Enforcement Command Centre, WhatsApp, the KPDN website, and other contact points provided.