SEVERAL traders, including butchers at the Larkin Sentral public market in Johor Bahru are fleecing consumers by selling imported buffalo meat, imported mutton and a variety of other goods above the ceiling prices set under the maximum price scheme implemented in conjunction with the Aidilfitri festival.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who swooped down on the market today, exposed the unkind cut.
“I deliberately came and looked at this market because I received a lot of information about the prices of goods here which are sometimes very unreasonable,” he was reported as saying after an inspection at the market.
“That’s right, many foreigners (Singaporeans) buy here because it’s close to our border area, so I went to investigate, to see for myself, and there were stalls selling imported buffalo meat that do not follow the price set under the maximum price scheme.”
According to him, the price for imported buffalo should be RM20 per kilogram, but certain traders are pricing it at RM24 per kilogram.
Salahuddin further stated that a few traders are still failing to place price tags on the goods sold, which is also illegal.
“So, I regret this very much and I hope officials will be able to act quickly today, so that the people can shop at the prices we have set,” he said.
The Pulai MP additionally ordered ministry enforcement authorities to take measures right away in order to prevent the unscrupulous traders from repeating the offence.
“So, if the traders repeat the same offence over and over again, ministry officials will not compromise and will take strict action against traders because we (the government) have warned them many times,” he pointed out.
“It is true that the ministry will look at this Larkin Sentral Public Market seriously because it is a focus area for foreigners, and this will be a problem for local residents who also shop here. So, I think we should be firm,” he added. – April 21, 2023
Main pic credit: Utusan Malaysia
