Errant Restaurateurs Could Be Punished
The Malaysian Consumers Association wants action to be taken against restauranteurs who maintain or raise prices despite a dive in fuel price.
Its secretary-general Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill has urged the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry to take action under the Control of Supplies Act or Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act against those found to be over-charging their customers.
Amarjit said that enforcement officers should carry out random spot checks and act against operators who over-charge and consumers on their part could boycott these operators.
Last week, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said the Government would consider using the law to punish businesses found to be charging their customers excessively.
However, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and the Industry of Malaysia deputy secretary-general Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok said prices of goods did not depend on the cost of fuel alone.
Higher operating costs and the depreciating Ringgit also needs to be factored in, he said, adding it is difficult to expect prices to go down at this point.
