PETALING JAYA: The government will impose a price control on essential goods starting April 15 during the third phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pix) said this is to ensure that irresponsible parties do not take advantage of the situation to increase the prices of essential goods.
“After performing checks and reviewing feedback from consumers, we have decided that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) will enforce the scheme.
“The list of essential goods under the scheme will be announced by KPDNHEP,” he said today.
Ismail Sabri said that although the scheme is usually imposed during festive seasons, the government decided there is a need and no reason to wait.
“KPDNHEP also received a total of 8,145 complaints and queries regarding prices of goods from March 18 to April 11 via four main platforms namely its e-aduan system, Whatsapp, hotline, and its enforcement command centre,” the minister said.
He added that KPDNHEP has been conducting daily checks across the country to monitor the availability of 25 essential goods.
He said said 1,205 spot checks were conducted on Saturday at business premises of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers.
“KPDNHEP found that all essential items are available and sufficiently stocked, including face masks and sanitisers,” he said.
Ismail Sabri also said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (MOA), during a special meeting on Saturday, had also confirmed that stocks of dry and wet goods, especially rice, are ample.
“Do not panic buy, as the two ministries, KPDNHEP and MOA have confirmed that food and stocks are sufficient,” he said.
