MIRI (Oct 17): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has deployed 308 enforcement and price monitoring officers across Sarawak to ensure supply availability and price compliance during the Deepavali festive season.

The initiative enforces the seven-day Deepavali Maximum Price Control Scheme 2025, which commenced today and covers nine essential items.

The campaign in Miri was launched by Miri mayor and Pujut assemblyman, Adam Yii.

Yii was joined by KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin, who led a team on an inspection walkabout at Emart Riam Shopping Mall.

In a statement, KPDN Sarawak emphasised its commitment to a safe and ethical business environment.

“The Sarawak KPDN will increase the presence of enforcement officers at consumer-focused locations to create a safe and ethical business and shopping environment,” the ministry said.

The campaign will see inspections extended to public markets, farmers’ markets, wet markets, and shopping centres selling festive goods.

The ministry also disclosed its enforcement performance from Jan 1 to Oct 12, this year.

During this period, KPDN enforcement officers in Sarawak conducted 112,404 premises inspections, resulting in seizures worth RM 13,130,292 and compound fines totalling RM 398,000.

A significant portion of these actions were under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, with 608 cases recorded.

These specific offences led to a seizure value of RM2,596.60 and compounds amounting to RM130,300.00.

The main offences identified include failure to display price tags on goods, violating Section 2(1) of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Order 2011; profiteering, under Section 14(1) of the Act; and other violations of the stipulated provisions under the Act.

KPDN Sarawak reminds all traders to comply with the set maximum prices and to use the distinctive pink price tags for controlled goods.

The ministry warned that any trader found committing an offence will face strict action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, including penalties and compounds.