BUTTERWORTH: Members of the public who have complaints about the prices of goods and services should channel them to the authorities instead of posting them on social media.
Penang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director S Jegan said complaints about a company would only give it more time to cover its tracks.
"So we ask that people lodge reports directly to us because sometimes before we can investigate, the trader has already 'readjusted' the price," he said.
Earlier, Jegan carried out checks on the implementation of price controls for Deepavali.
He said the ministry would investigate all reports fairly, and this included records of shop's prices for up to three years.
"We will look at why they raised prices, whether it was reasonable, if it is then no action will be taken.
"If the items are not price controlled and the people are willing to pay for it then there is no problem, this depends on supply and demand."
However, he said a trader must display the prices regardless of an item's price,
Jegam said since the start of the year, Penang KPDN has received 2,051 complaints, of which nearly half (908) involve the price of goods and services.
The ministry has inspected 44,080 premises in the state and has taken action against 557 traders.
Over RM1.9 million worth of goods have been seized and RM250,250 in compounds have been issued in that period.