Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry director Abu Samah Shabudin said retailers who refused to apply for licence to sell controlled items will lose out.     

NONE "It is rare for sundry shops not to sell sugar, flour and cooking oil as they are essential items.     

"Retailers who failed to get licences will lose customers and face action for selling without licence," he told reporters after distributing licence forms to retailers in Jalan Chow Kit in Kuala Lumpur today.     

Abu Samah was commenting on the threat by some retailers to boycott the sale of sugar, flour and cooking oil on Tuesday.     

He said retailers who failed to get licences by July 1 would be hauled up under the Supply Control Act 1961.

Under the act, individuals can be fined not more RM10,000 or jailed not more three years while corporations can be fined RM250,000.     

Abu Samah said the ministry had so far received 632 retail licence application forms from retailers and small traders in Kuala Lumpur.     

"Of the number, 245 forms had been processed. We expect to distribute the forms to all retailers by Tuesday," he added.     

- Bernama