The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) received 12,683 complaints related to the prices of goods in 2025.
PETALING JAYA: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) received 12,683 complaints related to the prices of goods in 2025, slightly higher than the 12,474 complaints recorded in 2024.
In a written parliamentary reply, its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the ministry had implemented nationwide enforcement operations, including Ops Kesan and Ops Catut, while conducting daily monitoring at public markets, supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants and other business premises to track price movements.
“Enforcement against price-related offences is carried out under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) and the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599).
“Under Act 723, individuals found guilty of unreasonable price increases or profiteering may face fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, while companies may be fined up to RM500,000.”
He added that offences involving misleading price representations under Act 599 carry penalties of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both for individuals, while companies may face fines of up to RM250,000.
“The ministry also monitors wholesalers, manufacturers and importers to prevent price manipulation throughout the supply chain that could lead to excessive retail price increases.”
He was replying to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (PH-Sekijang), who asked the ministry to state the number of complaints involving price fraud in 2024 and 2025, as well as the enforcement actions taken to safeguard consumers.
In another development, Armizan said the ministry’s price control and enforcement measures had helped prevent unreasonable increases in the prices of essential goods despite continued cost-of-living pressures caused by global market factors.
“Malaysia’s open market economy means prices are largely determined by supply and demand, exchange rates, climate-related factors and global supply chain developments.
“To protect consumers, the ministry enforces the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) to regulate the pricing of goods and services and prevent profiteering. The Act applies to all businesses nationwide, including those in urban areas and on tourist islands, with offenders liable to fines, imprisonment or both.”
Armizan said that although the government does not control the prices of all goods, KPDN continues to regulate selected essential items to prevent price manipulation, including white granulated sugar, subsidised 1kg cooking oil packets, bottled pure palm cooking oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“We have been conducting Ops Kesan since 2024 under Act 723 to ensure businesses across the supply chain do not exploit consumers through excessive price hikes.
“Ops Kesan 6.0, launched on June 1 following the West Asia crisis, monitors potential unjustified price increases linked to rising costs, particularly in the transport and petrochemical sectors, including packaging, plastics and agricultural fertilisers, as well as imported and domestic goods.”
Armizan added that KPDN issued 369 written notices under Section 21 of Act 723 between June 1 and June 13 following inspections involving 1,433 stock keeping units (SKUs) across the petrochemical, agriculture, livestock, agri-food and transport sectors. The notices are now being analysed to determine whether profiteering occurred.
“Beyond enforcement, we are working closely with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and other agencies through engagement sessions with importers, manufacturers, wholesalers and consumer groups to maintain affordable prices for consumers.”
Consumers can submit complaints through WhatsApp, the e-Aduan KPDN system and the ministry’s operations room. Complete complaints supported by evidence are investigated within 24 hours.
