I refer to JTB's letter entitled No crime in paying inflated prices . Whilst I am not a lawyer, I do believe that under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, it is indeed an offence to charge inflated prices in this case - an offence which attracts a corporate penalty up to RM250,000, a personal penalty of up to RM100,000 or up to three years' imprisonment.

I refer to Section 12 - 'Misleading Indication As To Price' which states 'A person commits an offence ... if he gives to a consumer an indication which is misleading as to the price at which any goods or services are available'. Giving a price to the government for the shoplots in excess of the true rate seems to clearly fit this description. Perhaps a lawyer can comment on this?

In the interests of transparency and accountability in transactions with the government, I believe any 'brokerage fee' should be itemised separately to the purchase itself in order to ensure both that the price of goods being obtained is clearly distinguished from the fees paid for 'brokerage', and that 'brokers' obtaining unreasonable commissions will be avoided in the future.