KUALA LUMPUR: The Control of Supplies (Amendment) Bill 2021 which will give Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry officers the power to make warrantless arrests and sell certain types of seized controlled goods, will be tabled during the current Dewan Rakyat sitting.

       Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic) said the Bill, which seeks to beef up the Control of Supplies Act 1961, consists of one section dealing with an amendment to Section 10 of the Act and also the introduction of three new sections.

       “The Bill consists of an amendment to Section 10 to extend the power (of) officers to make an arrest without warrant on a person reasonably believed to have done or attempted to commit an offence under the Act.

       “The Bill will also see the introduction of Section 12A, intended to provide officers with the power to sell controlled goods that are perishable, flammable or requiring high-cost care.

       “Section 12B, which is to exclude claims against the government by any party in respect of the goods seized unless the seizure was made without reasonable cause, will also be introduced," he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (March 14).

       Another addition of Section 25A, which is intended to allow sampling while conducting inspection and analysis of seized controlled items, he added.

       He said the improvements to the Control of Supplies Act would make the investigation and prosecution of cases involving misappropriation of controlled items more effective.

       Through constantly updated and improved legislation and enforcement, he added, commercial crime can be reduced and the continued presence of essential basic goods in the market ensured.

       Earlier, Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat (GPS-Betong) asked the minister if there was a need for enforcement laws under the ministry to be amended or updated to be relevant to current challenges.

       Alexander said the Direct Sales and Anti-Pyramid Scheme Act 1993 will also be amended to expand the scope of direct selling in an effort to promote good direct sales practices.

       He added that the ministry was also reviewing several regulations, including the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations, Hire Purchase Regulations and the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Regulations, to see if amendments were needed.