PUTRAJAYA: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister (KPDNHEP) has not received any complaints on the increase in fish prices in the market.
However, its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ministry was aware of the rise in fish prices, which was attributed to the ongoing monsoon season.
"Fish prices are going up in some places and this usually happens at the end of the year during monsoon season, causing lesser fresh catch.
"If any complaint is lodged with us, we will investigate the matter.
"If there are elements of profiteering, we have an Act (the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011), but perhaps (the price increase) may be due to lack of supply, which is normal.
"(But) so far, no official complaints have been received by the ministry, and the matter was only reported in the news," he told a press conference after the ministry's Majlis Aspirasi Tahun Baharu 2022.
As such Nanta called on consumers to lodge official complaints if there is any drastic price increase, to the ministry.
"If the complaint is general, it would be difficult for enforcement to check and take necessary action," he said.
Meanwhile, Nanta said the ministry has introduced the Cyber Copyright Enforcement (CyCore), which is aimed at combating digital film copyright infringements or digital film piracy on the internet.
He said CyCore is a dedicated programme for local film producers or film copyright owners, where they can work together with more than 50 strategic partners comprising government agencies, e-commerce platforms and Internet Service Providers (ISP) to prevent online digital film piracy.
"This programme is implemented through the method of website blocking and content removal.
"It is the fastest and most effective method in disabling digital film piracy distribution activities in collaboration with strategic partners without involving the Judiciary.
"Through CyCore, the blocking or content removal will be done within a maximum of 48 hours upon notification by the copyright owners participating in the programme."
Nanta said the CyCore programme had gone through a series of tests with film copyright owners and received positive feedback on its implementation.
"Based on a series of tests on 15 films that had participated in the programme, a total 298 websites had been blocked, while 1,418 contents were successfully removed.
"Therefore, we hope local film producers or copyright owners will take the opportunity to participate in this programme when they wish to screen their films digitally through the internet.
"This would allow the ministry and other strategic partners to work together with film copyright owners to act in an integrated manner in protecting their intellectual property rights from being exploited illegally at the expense of the film owners."