Housewives patrol Malaysia markets
Wed, October 01 2008
Overcharging is more likely to appear on the “radar” of housewives and university students who usually work on a shoestring budget.
As such, for the Ramadan period, the ministry has enlisted 2,000 housewives and university students nationwide on an annual contract with a monthly allowance of about $500.
Ministry director-general (Enforcement) Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said housewives and students were ideal as the ministry’s eyes and ears to identify traders looking to make quick profits during the festive season.
The “undercover agents” who responded to an advertisement in a local newspaper were chosen after extensive interviews in March, he said.
Housewives and students are more conscious of prices because most of them visit markets or hypermarkets at least twice a week.
Until Oct. 8, they will take note of prices while doing their marketing and report if there are any irregularities, he said, adding that under the price control scheme 17 items have a ceiling price.
“For example, a kilo of red chillies is priced at RM10 ($3C) and if they sell it for more, we will issue a maximum fine of RM7,500 ($2,250C) per offence,” he said.
Earlier, Roslan conducted a check on prices of fresh produce and sundry items at the Meru wet market together with an enforcement team of 30.
He was satisfied that traders had complied with the price ruling and said some even sold their items below the ceiling price.
“We also have a booth at the Meru wet market for consumers to lodge complaints if they feel items are priced unfairly.”
