The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 applies uniformly to all sectors of business, with no exceptions or special treatment for particular industries, the government has confirmed.

According to the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the legislation does not contain any provision that limits its application to specific business categories. He stressed that the law is designed to apply comprehensively across the board, regardless of the nature or status of the enterprise.

“As long as goods are being sold to consumers, irrespective of the type, Section 10 of the Act empowers the Minister to introduce regulations concerning price labelling and tagging,” he said, adding that numerous sectors are already operating under the obligations set out by the Act.

Enacted in January 2011, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act was intended to prevent unjustified price increases and to protect consumers from exploitative practices.

The minister’s remarks come in response to concerns raised by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), which has urged a reassessment of the law’s enforcement within the healthcare sector. MMA has expressed particular concern about a regulation, effective from 1 May, that requires private medical clinics and pharmacies to display the prices of medicines.

Datuk Dr R Thirunavukarasu, the association’s president-elect, affirmed MMA’s support for transparent pricing but argued that regulation within the healthcare field should be governed by the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998. He maintained that medical practices offer professional services and should not be subjected to the same regulatory framework as conventional retail businesses.

Armizan, however, pointed out that enforcement of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act in the healthcare sector is not without precedent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted, the government issued an order under the Act relating to the pricing of vaccines. He also highlighted two current orders, concerning face masks and antigen rapid test kits, that continue to be in force.

He argued that, from the standpoint of consumer rights, there should be no distinction between professional and retail sellers when it comes to the public’s right to information. “If a business involves the sale of goods to consumers, it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that consumers are able to make informed choices by having access to clear and transparent information,” he said.

Armizan also urged the public to support traders who respect consumer rights and uphold ethical business practices. Nevertheless, he confirmed that his ministry would work alongside the Ministry of Health to review the memorandum submitted by the MMA, following a decision by the Cabinet.

(Source: NST)

• TAGS:
• Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali
• Healthcare
• Malaysian Medical Association
• Medication
• MMA
• Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011
• Price Labelling
• Tagging
• Transparent Pricing