THE Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), Prime Minister’s Office through the Consumer Affairs Division (CAD) conducted a surprise visit/spot check to some business premises in Gadong and Mukim Kilanas on Thursday.
The visit was led by Acting Permanent Secretary (Economy and Finance) at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad.
Acting Deputy Director-General of JPKE, Haji Asrul Adrain bin Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Ahmad and 15 officers and staff from CAD were also present.
The surprise visit aimed to ensure that items under the Price Control Act, Chapter 142, especially cooking oil and powdered formulated milk, are not sold above the maximum prices. It was also to ensure that, sugar and rice are not sold above the subsidised prices. The inspection is intended to ensure that businesses stay in compliance with the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 and Price Control (Display of Prices) Order, which requires goods displayed to be clearly price tagged; price of selected goods categorised in the setting of maximum prices during festive season in conjunction with the months of Ramadhan and Syawal 1438 Hijrah/2017, are not sold exceeding the set maximum prices.
The initiative also aimed to assist the citizens with their preparation for the upcoming festive season. The list of food items with set maximum prices are chicken; eggs; butter; margarine; ghee; condensed, evaporated and cream milk; flour; chocolate hazelnut spread; condensed, cream and powder coconut milk; chilli shrimp floss; and popia skin. Details of selected food items and maximum prices can be accessed through ‘SmartConsumer’ mobile application and JPKE’s website at www.depd.gov.bn/cad.
Acting Permanent Secretary (Economy and Finance) at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad, during the surprise inspection to business premises. – JPKE
The visit also aimed to monitor stores participating in Jualan Aneka Brunei (JAB) to ensure compliance with the sales regulations set by JPKE, which include to display price in a clear manner on goods sold; display of original price, discounted price and/or discount percentage; and display clearly the Participation Notice throughout JAB; monitor the prices of selected goods listed under the amendment of the customs import tax and excise duties of the Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Finance such as sweetened beverages and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Businesses that do not comply with the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 and its regulations can be issued a compound fine not exceeding $1,000; imposed a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for two years for the first offence by the court; or imposed a fine of $20,000 and imprisonment of five years for a repeated offence by the court.
Meanwhile, businesses that sell exceeding the maximum prices set, for the selected food items during the months of Ramadhan and Syawal 1438 Hijrah/2017, can face actions including written warnings.
JPKE advised the public to practise the concept of ‘smart consumer’ by comparing prices of different stores before making any purchases to get the best value for money. In an effort to inculcate the ‘smart consumer’ concept, JPKE launched a mobile application called PenggunaBijak/SmartConsumer that provides a platform to compare prices of daily necessities and price controlled goods; access to consumer related laws and a channel to lodge consumer complaints.
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