Steady prices at local markets in Kedah

Despite the low levels of subsidised oil, rice and flour in the area, fresh goods like chicken, fish and vegetables seems to show no sign of low lines.  In fact the prices of these goods show no fluctuation and have been relatively steady.

Annually, as the fasting month draws close, these fresh goods would run low in supply and traders sometime raise the price to make a quick profit.

Deputy Director of Enforcement, Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) Kedah, Mohd Azman Mahmud said that there are a small number of errant traders however, they are scarce and the situation is under control for now.

“Based on today’s spot check, chicken is still priced between RM6.40 to RM7 per kg.  Beef is still being sold for Rm18 to Rm20 per kg.  We don’t see a spike in the price of vegetables either”, he said this after a surprise inspection at the Alor Setar Main Market at Jalan Peremba by 12 officials.

Checks were also made on price tags and weighing scales of the goods on sale.  One errant trader was caught using a faulty weighing scale and was fined under the Weight and Measurement Act 1972.

Azman said that they will continue to conduct these spot check at night markets (pasar malam and pasar tani) and sundry shops.  “I would like to remind traders not to raise prices as they wish.  Strict action will be taken on errant traders.  According to the Price Control Act 2011, if found guilty, they could face a fine of up to RM100,000 or 3 years imprisonment.

Commenting on the low levels of flour, oil and rice, in the District of Yan, as reported recently, Azman said he has not received any complaints from consumers nor traders.  “We have not received any complaint from any district of low supply of goods” he said.

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Harga bahan mentah seperti ayam, ikan dan sayuran masih stabil manakala bekalannya didapati mencukupi walaupun umat Islam dijangka menyambut kehadiran Ramadan 10 hari lagi.

:Kebiasaannya, menjelang Ramadan, harga beberapa bahan mentah dinaikkan sesuka hati oleh peniaga yang mahu mengaut keuntungan malah terdapat bekalan yang secara tiba-tiba tidak mencukupi di pasaran.

Penolong Pengarah Bahagian Penguatkuasaan, Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) Kedah, Mohd Azman Mahmud berkata, setakat ini, hasil pemantauan harga yang dibuat mendapati hanya terdapat segelintir peniaga yang berbuat demikian, namun keadaan masih terkawal.

“Pemeriksaan mendapati harga ayam masih sama iaitu antara RM6.40 hingga RM7 sekilogram manakala harga daging antara RM18 hingga RM20. Harga sayuran juga tidak banyak berubah,” katanya, ketika ditemui selepas mengadakan pemeriksaan mengejut di Pasar Besar Alor Setar, Jalan Peremba terhadap 480 gerai merangkumi pelbagai barangan.

Operasi membabitkan 12 anggota itu turut disertai Timbalan Ketua Unit Operasi, Aizi Abu Bakar.

Menurutnya, selain pemeriksaan terhadap harga barangan, mereka memeriksa tanda harga, penimbang dan mendapatkan maklumat berkaitan bekalan bahan mentah.

Tinjauan juga mendapati terdapat seorang peniaga menjual daging menggunakan alat timbangan tamat tempoh, dan dikenakan tindakan bawah Akta Tambang dan Sukat 1972.

“Saya ingin mengingatkan peniaga supaya tidak naikkan harga sewenang-wenangnya kerana pemeriksaan akan dibuat sepanjang masa secara mengejut.

“Peniaga diminta patuhi peraturan ditetapkan sepanjang masa, bukannya musim perayaan sahaja. Tindakan tegas akan diambil bawah Akta Kawalan Harga dan Pencatutan 2011,” katanya.

Jika sabit kesalahan, boleh didenda hingga RM100,000 atau tiga tahun penjara.

Mohd Azman berkata, operasi turut diperluas ke kawasan pasar tani, pasar malam, kedai runcit seluruh negeri termasuk bazar Ramadan.

Mengulas mengenai kekurangan bekalan minyak masak dan tepung gandum di daerah Yan, seperti yang dilaporkan Sinar Harian minggu lalu, Mohd Azman berkata, pihaknya tidak menerima aduan daripada pengguna mahupun peniaga berhubung perkara itu.

“Selain menerima aduan, kita turut turun padang membuat pemantauan dan belum ada kes kekurangan bekalan di mana-mana daerah. Malah pegawai pemantau harga di setiap daerah sentiasa memaklumkan kepada kita untuk sebarang tindakan,” katanya.