OPS JAMIN was launched on July 7, 2023 involving an integrated collaboration between the Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) namely the Paddy and Rice Authority (KPB) to increase enforcement capacity and country-wide monitoring to ensure that consumers always get the assurance of a sufficient supply of rice with a stable and at controlled price.
Strategic cooperation involving enforcement, information sharing and inter-agency monitoring between KPDN and KPKM through OPS JAMIN plays an important role in identifying the entire supply chain of rice distribution at all levels of the wholesaler to the retailer level.
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Fuziah Salleh, in a statement today (Sept 4), said KPDN assured that it will intensify inspections under OPS GUARANTEE to combat the issue of changing the label of rice packages which is feared to occur following the new price adjustment for imported white rice (BPI) and gave a stern warning to all manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to always comply with the legislation that has been set for avoid being subject to strict action.
Until September 2, 2023, a total of 1,053 inspections under OPS JAMIN have been carried out throughout the country as a result of the integrated collaboration of KPDN and KPKM involving inspections at the manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer levels. A total of 47 complaints received involving price, supply and other complaints related to rice have been channelled to KPKM for further action.
Any person who commits an offense may be prosecuted under Section 21 of the Paddy and Rice Control Act [Act 522] and if convicted may be fined up to RM25,000.00 (Ringgit Malaysia Twenty Five Thousand) or imprisoned for a period not exceeding two years or both- both for individuals while for companies if found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000.00 (Ringgit Malaysia Fifty Thousand).
In addition, KPDN would like to give a stern warning to any relevant individual/company to always comply with the legislation that has been set. Legal action will be taken against any party found to have made a false trade description regarding the content, type or name under Section 5 of the Trade Description Act 2011 [Act 730] and if found guilty may be fined up to RM100,000.00 (Ringgit Malaysia Satu Hundred Thousand) or imprisoned for not more than three years or both or both for individuals while for companies if found guilty can be fined up to RM250,000.00 (Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred Fifty Thousand).
Members of the public who have any information regarding the issue of shortage of supply or increase in the price of rice, can channel an official complaint to the Ministry through the following channels: Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) i. WhatsApp 019-279 4317 / 019-848 8000; KPDN’s e-Complaints portal which is http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my; iii. Call Center 1-800-886-800; Email [email protected]; Ez ADU KPDN Smartphone Application, and Enforcement Operations Room 03-8882 6088 / 6245.
KPDN has now 29 strategic partners under the RAHMAH Umbrella Initiative
In a separate note, the Deputy Minister launched the RAHMAH Umbrella Initiative with SJ Circle Sdn Bhd which was held at Kulim Industrial Estate, Kulim, Kedah today (Sept 6).
Under the RAHMAH Umbrella Initiative, the ministry (KPDN) has launched four (4) main cores which are RAHMAH Sales, RAHMAH Menu, RAHMAH Basket and RAHMAH Package. Through the RAHMAH Sales Initiative, KPDN has 29 strategic partners consisting of supermarkets, chain supermarkets and manufacturers. The RAHMAH Umbrella Initiative is a manifestation of the Government’s concern and concept of love for Malaysians, especially the low-income group in collaboration with strategic partners involved.
There are three (3) RAHMAH Sales Program models which are on premises, off premises, and mobile. To date, a total of PJR and PJRB have been implemented in 1,748 locations in 222 parliaments since it was introduced in January 2023. PJRB or #KedaiCariRakyat has proven to have a positive impact in efforts to ease the cost of living and has now reached people at all levels including areas that no supermarkets or hypermarkets. For information, PJRB has reached MADANI Malaysians in the city, suburbs and also outside the city covering 575 locations nationwide.
In line with this Government’s recommendation, SJ Circle Sdn Bhd will start participating as a strategic partner under the RAHMAH Umbrella Initiative by producing MIDORI brand disposable baby diaper products specifically for Mobile RAHMAH Sales. This MIDORI brand is available in five (5) different packages according to size, namely S, M, L, XL and XXL.
For information, SJ Circle Sdn Bhd is a manufacturing company that has been operating since 2016 and has produced disposable diaper products for babies and children for several brands such as MIDORI and Weezy as well as adult disposable diapers brands Senshine and Sensof. This company has also received ISO 9001:2015 recognition from LRQA and HALAL status from JAKIM.
In addition, SJ Circle Sdn Bhd also has strategic partners in several foreign countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and India, in addition to the existing local market. KPDN really hopes that efforts like this can attract the attention of Malaysians, especially consumers to get goods at cheap and reasonable prices quality in line with the product brand offered.
According to the Consumer Index Report in July 2023 published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) it was found that the national inflation rate continued to moderate at a rate of 2.0% compared to the previous month which was 2.4%. However, it is much lower than neighbouring countries such as Indonesia (3.1%), Singapore (4.1%) and the Philippines (4.7%). In this context, KPDN will continue to implement various actions to ensure that the agenda of dealing with the cost of living is given the main focus in the MADANI Malaysia agenda as desired by YAB Prime Minister.
KPDN remains committed to ensuring that all MADANI Malaysians are protected and not burdened with the rising cost of living in today’s challenging and uncertain situation. At the same time, KPDN always supports the efforts made by industrialists from various sectors in the country to encourage Malaysians to spend by giving additional rewards or added value to consumers.
