KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry seized goods and equipment worth more than RM3.2mil from errant traders and business owners throughout the state so far this year.

       State director Georgie Abas said a total of 33,542 spot checks were conducted between Jan 1 and May 10.

       From these checks, he said action was taken against 469 cases which were found to have violated laws on trade and consumer matters.

       “We seized goods like cooking oil, petrol and diesel as well as boats, ships and tanker lorries that were caught transporting the items,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (May 11).

       “Everything is taken into account, hence, the high value. Altogether, we took in goods and vehicles worth RM3,281,193.77 from these cases.”

       Georgie said they also collected RM83,700 in compound fines from errant business owners.

       He said their office received 509 complaints from consumers, with 473 or 92.9% of the cases, resolved while the remaining are still under investigation.

       Meanwhile, Georgie said his office conducted 1,795 checks at business premises statewide under the festive season price scheme for Hari Raya which started from April 26 until May 10.

       He said the inspection involved 1,763 retailers and 32 wholesalers.

       “The level of compliance among traders is satisfactory during the programme.

       “Based on our checks, they have followed the fixed price control for Raya obediently,” he said.

       Besides that, Georgie said his office also did not receive any complaints from the public on traders raising the prices of their goods during the period.