KUCHING: Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs’ (KPDNHEP) enforcement officers are authorised to ensure compliance with the movement control order (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs).
KPDNHEP enforcement director Azman Adam said this was in relation to prohibited activities listed by the National Security Council (MKN) and the Health Ministry (MoH).
“KPDNHEP is committed to the enforcement of inspections and compounding under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) on compliance with the SOPs for MCO, conditional movement control order (CMCO), and recovery movement control order (RMCO) by KPDNHEP enforcement officers authorised under Act 342 throughout the MCO period starting May 8,” he said in a statement here.
He said the devolution of power granted to KPDNHEP was under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Compounding of Offences) (Amendment) (No 11) Regulations 2020, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Compounding of Offences) (Amendment) (No 12) Regulations 2020, and Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Compounding of Offences) (Amendment) (No 8) Regulations 2020.
“KPDNHEP has outlined the work movement to implement enforcement under this Act by stating that in the event of non-compliance with the MCO SOPs, a compound of RM1,000 can be imposed.
“The implementation of permission to open up the distribution trade sector to continue operating during the MCO period is to maintain the balance of the ecosystem and economic continuity which requires business activities to continue along with the enforcement and compliance of MCO SOPs,” he said.
The ministry advised and reminded all parties to ensure complete compliance with the MCO SOPs.
“If this compliance still fails to achieve the set level, the government can take strict action including the closure of premises,” cautioned Azman.
He hoped all parties, especially industry players and consumers, would be jointly responsible to ensure that the distribution trade sector does not contribute to the increase in Covid-19 infections, as well as take advantage of the opening of economic sectors under this sector by adhering to all MCO SOPs.
“The action and cooperation of all parties will be able to balance the needs between the nation’s economic continuity and curbing the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
He also assured that KPDNHEP was regulating trade and distribution activities to ensure the wholesale and retail distribution network was not affected and that the supply of basic necessities was sufficient in the market.
“This supervision ensures that no traders take advantage through price and supply manipulation of consumer goods during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Azman said.
