Kuala lumpur: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's (KPDN) Kuala Lumpur branch has issued 47 notices to traders over price adjustments following the increase in the Sales and Service Tax (SST) rate from six to eight per cent. Its director, Mohd Sabri Seman, said the notices, issued under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, followed inspections of more than 80 premises in the capital under Op Kesan 4.0 since July 1.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, these notices cover 154 items for data collection and analysis, as stated by Mohd Sabri after inspecting a supermarket on Jalan Klang Lama. During the operation, his office also received 27 consumer complaints related to the prices of items, including ready-to-eat food. For complaints involving price and supply issues, investigations will be initiated within 24 hours, followed by further action.

He further mentioned that monitoring so far has shown overall prices remain under control despite the SST rate adjustment. To ensure the effectiveness of Op Kesan 4.0, Kuala Lumpur KPDN has adopted three main approaches: collecting daily price and service charge data, utilising data gathered by price monitoring officers (PPH), and conducting market intelligence through the Enforcement Division.

Strict action will be taken against any party found to be raising prices unreasonably in violation of anti-profiteering laws. If found guilty of profiteering, individuals can be fined up to RM100,000, face a maximum jail term of three years, or both, while companies may be fined up to RM500,000.

Op Kesan 4.0 was launched to monitor price and service charge changes and to prevent traders from exploiting the situation to raise prices unfairly, particularly for daily necessities, in line with the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.