Traders have largely been found selling controlled items at below the ceiling price for the Chinese New Year (CNY) festive season.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Tan Lian Hoe said traders were selling at between one sen and RM4 less than the ceiling price of 11 controlled items under the price control scheme for the CNY celebration, effective until Feb 21.

"We are satisfied that traders are selling these goods at below the ceiling price despite the competition," she said after visiting the Jalan Klang Lama and OUG wet markets, in Kuala Lumpur, today.

She said the price of pig stomach had been reduced by as much as RM4 while the controlled price was RM20 per kg, and the price of pork and lard by as much as RM2.

"The price of other goods like live chicken, standard chicken and super chicken have been reduced by 0.8 sen per kg and grade A, B and C eggs by 0.2 sen each.

"We also noticed that the price of imported cabbage from Indonesia and China at the two wet markets has gone down to RM1 per kg, and white pomfret and white shrimps to RM3 per kg."

Tan said a win-win situation for both traders and consumers could be seen this CNY festive season in that the ministry had not received complaints on price hikes from consumers and retailers.

She said the ministry had ordered its enforcement officers to conduct daily price monitoring at wet markets until the last day of the price control scheme period.

Tan said the ministry would not extend the scheme period as the government  practised the open market principle, allowing consumers themselves to make wise choices, hence determining the market price.

She aso advised consumers who came across traders selling goods above the controlled price to immediately lodge a complaint with the ministry or its state offices so that action could be taken.

- Bernama