The Negeri Sembilan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has fined a restaurant owner in Lukut RM200 after a viral complaint revealed the establishment charged RM10 for a small bottle of mineral water.
According to Sinar Harian, state director Muhammad Zahir Mazlan confirmed that the fine was issued under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011.
The ministry received a complaint about a 1.25-litre bottle of mineral water being sold at RM10. Following this, enforcement officers from the Port Dickson branch inspected the premises at 11 am on Wednesday (Oct 23),” Zahir said in a statement to the Malay daily.
The investigation, led by Assistant Enforcement Officer Mohd Zaihiri Tambi Adam, found the restaurant violated regulations by not displaying a price tag for the mineral water.
Read also: M’sian Man Fined RM4K For Cutting Down 50yo Tree Without Permission
This breaches the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Goods and Services Charges) Order 2020.
Zahir urged all traders to display prices clearly to prevent confusion and ensure customers can make informed purchasing decisions.
Earlier, the viral complaint showed a customer expressing shock at the RM10 price for the water. She said that the owner justified the high price by attributing it to the brand.
“I told the owner that at convenience stores, it costs less than RM10. He said he wasn’t aware of the price as his staff had purchased the bottles, saying it was a good brand,” the customer wrote.
She also mentioned that the price was revealed only when she settled the bill after finishing her meal.
