SEVEN premises were found to have committed offences under the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 during a surprise visit conducted by Consumer Affairs Division (BHEP) under the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), Prime Minister’s Office to some business premises in the Tutong District yesterday.
The offences were mainly not displaying price tags and displaying prices exceeding the maximum prices set on Selected Food During Festive Season such as butter, margarine, creamer, evaporated milk and flour.
The visit was led by Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad, Acting Permanent Secretary (Economy and Finance) at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Also present was Haji Asrul Adrain bin Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Ahmad, Acting Deputy Director General of JPKE, and 10 officials from the Consumer Affairs Division.
The surprise visit aimed to ensure that Price Controlled items under the Price Control Act, Chapter 142, especially cooking oil and powdered formulated milk, are not sold above the maximum prices. Meanwhile, rice is not sold above the subsidised price. The inspection is intended to ensure that business stay in compliance with the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 and Price Control (Display of Prices) Order, which requires goods on displayed to be clearly price tagged.
Also price of selected goods categorised in the Setting of Maximum Prices on Selected Food 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. 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.
Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad, Acting Permanent Secretary (Economy and Finance) at the Prime Minister’s Office, during the surprise visit. – 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; and 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 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, action can be taken on businesses which sell goods exceeding the maximum prices set, for the selected food items during the months of Ramadhan and Syawal 1438 Hijrah/2017.
JPKE advised the public to practice the concept of ‘Smart Consumer’, that is to compare prices of different stores before making any purchase to get the best value for money.
In an effort to inculcate the ‘smart consumer’ concept, JPKE has 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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