PUTRAJAYA: An Ops Menu exercise to conduct checks on restaurants and eateries to prevent price manipulation and rigged scales has been launched by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

       Its enforcement director Azman Adam said the operation would focus on premises that prepare and serve cooked food, including restaurants, eateries, food courts and seafood restaurants.

       “The checks will mostly be on the price tags and weighing scales used by restaurants and eateries,” he said in a statement to Bernama yesterday.

       Azman said operators were reminded to always comply with the rules and regulations, especially regarding the display of prices and weighing scales to avoid legal action, including court charges or compound notices.

       Stern action would be taken against traders who fail to comply with the legal provisions under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Goods and Charges for Services) Order 2020, he said.

       An unincorporated business would face a fine of up to RM50,000 while an incorporated business would face a maximum fine of RM100,000 if found to have committed an offence, he added.

       Also, traders could be fined up to RM40,000 or a maximum of three years’ jail for offences under the Weights and Measures Act 1972, he said.

       Azman reminded consumers to be careful and to choose ethical restaurants and eateries that displayed clear price lists and used valid scales to avoid being deceived by unethical traders.

       “Consumer power is the best precaution against getting duped by irresponsible businesses while enforcement action is the last resort against such traders,” he said.

       He also urged consumers with information regarding unscrupulous trading practices to alert the ministry via WhatsApp at 019-2794317, hotline 1-800-88-6800, the Enforcement Command Centre (03-8882 6088/6245) or email e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my.