GEORGE TOWN: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has issued the operator of a nasi kandar restaurant at Lebuh Campbell here with a Goods Information Verification Notice (NPMB) to explain the cost and sales price of a sotong goreng dish sold at the premises.
Its director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghapar said the operator had been given two working days to respond to the notice.
"If the operator fails to respond, action can be taken under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2021," he said.
He was responding to a report earlier that a copy of a receipt, totalling RM106.60, from Penang's oldest nasi kandar restaurant, Hameediyah Restaurant at Campbell Street here, was uploaded by one Huzir Rizal, showing RM100 for two fresh sotong goreng (fried squid) alone with a photograph of the dish.
The posting has since gone viral on social media, with netizens criticising the restaurant for its exorbitantly-priced sotong goreng dish.
Hameediyah Lebuh Campbell director Muhammad Riyaaz Syed Ibrahim has since explained the matter.
Mohd Ridzuan said they had always viewed seriously the issue of price increase or possible elements of anti-profiteering by traders.
"If there is any unreasonable increase in price, we urge consumers to lodge an official complaint to the ministry," he added.
Earlier today, several officers from the ministry were spotted at the nasi kandar restaurant to record the operator's statement with regards to the viral issue.