GST fear-mongers face jail term or hefty fine

IPOH: The government will take action against traders who display banners advertising cheap sales with claims that consumers should buy their goods now before prices go up with the Goods and Services Tax implementation next year.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said such advertisements would confuse the public and action could be taken against them under the Trade Description Act 2011.
"The advertisements sent a wrong message and confuse the consumers into thinking that prices of goods will be go up once GST is enforced," he told reporters after opening the Perak Northern Regional Groom Big Entrepreneurs Cooperative supermarket at Bandar Meru Raya here today.
Under the Act, the offence carries a RM100,000 fine or a jail term of three years or both in the case of an individual and RM250,000 fine for companies.
He said they have detected four to five cases, including in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, and action have been taken.
He told traders not to be too greedy but look for a win win situation for all where they could make their profits while consumers pay a fair price for the goods.
Hasan said that although traders could have obtained approval from local authorities to put up the banners but the ministry was empowered to bring them down as it confuses the public.
On the possibility of a shortage of vegetables following the crackdown by enforcement authorities in Cameron Highlands, he said the government was prepared to import the greens.
"Food for the people should not be affected ... the government will import them,' he added.