KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has identified 11 items to be placed under the Price Control Scheme for Deepavali this year.
The ceiling price enforcement between Nov 1 and 7 will be a win-win situation for both the sellers and buyers, the ministry said in a statement today.
"The selected goods are the main ones needed during the celebration this year and all these items are in high demand by the people.
"Therefore price controls are made on these goods to stabilise their prices and supply in the market," it said today.
The 11 items are - live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, imported bone-in lamb, grade A, B and C eggs, red chilies, tomatoes, coconut (kelapa biji), and grated coconut.
The ministry said the price control scheme is applicable in 91 districts in the Peninsular, 27 districts in Sabah and one district in Labuan.
For Sarawak, the scheme is only enforced in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu due to a majority of the Indian community that celebrate Deepavali living there.
The ministry said the price of goods for the states is made according to the suitability of the current market price while taking into account the factors of price changes, especially for imported goods that are influenced by prices in the country of origin, changes in currency exchange rates and rising utility costs of farmers.
"To ensure compliance with the scheme, the ministry will take immediate compound action more strictly than before, which is three times the normal rate.
"Action will be taken against traders under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 for failing to comply with the regulations under the scheme," it added.
The ministry also said it will team up with the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry to monitor the situation on the ground and ensure supply of goods are sufficient and prices remain reasonable.
KPDNHEP officers will be in locations such as public markets, farmers' markets and supermarkets for inspections and monitoring.
The ministry have also set up Skuad Tindakan Aduan Rakyat (STAR) to resolve public complaints.