THE Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), Prime Minister’s Office through the Department of Competition and Consumer Affairs, recently conducted a surprise visit to several business premises around Kampong Sengkurong, Mata-Mata and Kiulap.
The surprise visit was one of the efforts in place to ensure price-controlled goods under the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 – including cooking oil and formulated powdered milk – are not sold above the set maximum prices. Rice also cannot be sold above the subsidised price.
The visit intended to inspect business compliance with the Price Control (Cheap Sale Price) Regulations, especially on Jualan Aneka Brunei 2018 and Price Control (Display of Prices) Order.
The visit was also to ensure the pricing of selected food items set with maximum price (for the festive season) are not sold above the maximum price set. This include whole chicken; eggs; butter; margarine; ghee; flour; condensed, evaporated and cream milk; condensed, cream and powdered coconut milk; chocolate hazelnut spread; chilli shrimp floss; and popia skin.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Economy and Finance) at the Prime Minister’s Office Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Mohammad led the surprise visit. Also present was Acting Deputy Director General of Planning and Economic Development Hajah Mariah binti Haji Yahya.
Four business establishments were found to have committed several offences.
One business was issued a compound fine of BND700 for not displaying prices on a number of food items, an offence under the Price Control (Display of Prices) Order, while another one was issued a warning notice for a similar offence of not displaying prices on fresh flowers.
A warning letter was issued to a business for selling above the maximum price set by JPKE on selected food items during festive season.
The items found to be sold exceeding the maximum price were eggs, condensed milk, butter and chocolate hazelnut spread.
Another shop was issued a warning notice for selling goods above the discount price declared to JPKE, an offence under the Price Control (Cheap Sale Price) Regulations.
Under the Price Control Act, Chapter 142, non-compliance businesses can face a penalty of: A fine of BND5,000 and imprisonment for two years for the first offence; or a fine of BND20,000 and imprisonment of five years for a repeated offence.
JPKE has set maximum prices on four types of goods – cooking oil, formulated powdered milk, passenger motor vehicle, and bricks (clay).
JPKE advised the public to practise the concept of ‘Smart Consumer,’ which is to compare prices at different stores before making purchase.
The public is also encouraged to access the PenggunaBijak/SmartConsumer mobile application that provides a platform to compare prices of selected daily necessities and price controlled goods; and information on consumer related laws. It also serves as a channel to share feedback and lodge consumer complaints directly to JPKE.
For inquiries, contact JPKE directly through the PenggunaBijak/SmartConsumer mobile application, 2230223 (office hours), e-mail aduanpengguna@jpke.gov.bn or consumercomplaint@jpke.gov.bn, or visit www.facebook.com/AduanPenggunaJPKE.
Alternatively, they can visit the Department of Competition and Consumer Affairs, Room 3.06, Level 3, West Wing, Department of Economic Planning and Development, Block 2A at Jalan Ong Sum Ping.