Do not be surprise if we are to tell you that there exist a Ministry that is empowered only to regulate and control the price of sugar and flour.
In the midst of rising prices for local food, transportation, and other daily need in the economic environment of a global downturn, you will be disappointed to know that the Ministry everyone expect to regulate prices in the market is only empowered to regulate and control the prices of sugar and flour only!
This is not to say that the Ministry KPDNKK is not carrying out their duty to address profiteering as per the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (PCAP) Act 2011.
The pressure from media and consumers generally complaining and blaming them for not strict in their enforcement did allow them to be in a state of slumber.
They are trying their level best within the constraint of the law, limited resources, rampant practices, wide network of offenders, and uncooperative public.
Save for alleged corruption, which are individual in nature, KPDNKK under their new Minister, Dato Seri Zainuddin Hamzah have been working and trying out various efforts and measures.
Again, the power to regulate and control prices is spread out under various Ministries and government agencies like Ministry of Agruculture, EPU, MPOC, etc. and not entirely under KPDNKK.
Role
The long name for KPDNKK or the long version Kementeriaan, Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi Dan Kepenggunaan gives the impression that they have such a wide reaching power and solely responsible for monitoring, controlling and enforcing prices on practically every item.
Not only they do not, KPDNKK has also a role to play to developed the domestic trade sector and cooperatives.
They are also involved in coordinating the policy, licensing, regulation and safety of the downstream petroleum, petrochemical and gas industry.
In conclusion, KPDNKK is responsible to study and draft policy related to domestic trade, monitor prices of good and undertake enforcement to ensure domestic trade practise are clean and fair.
It involve monitoring wholesale and retail trade, protecting concumers rights, Intellectual property, and registration together with monitoring businesses. [Browse for more accurate info in their website here]
It is heard that KPDNKK was given the responsibility to prepare the policy and regulation with regard to the vape business. It is expected to be put forward to cabinet for approval.
The banning of vape was strongly recommended by the Health Ministry and few state Muftis issued fatwa declaring it as haram on personal recommendation of certain doctors.
However, the issue is not as simplistic as the public debate against it argued. Using the poison substance act to regulate nicotine content in the vape liquid, it would not be fair for the safer and more ligit vape practises.
In fairness to all - non-Muslims, even Muslims and legitimate smokers - using vape as the halfway to kick cigarette habit, the solution is to regulate.
Off course, it raises back to the issue of weak implementation and enforcement endemic in Malaysia.
On this aspect, the limitation to effective enforcement for the newly established Ministry should be appreciated.
KPDNKK was originally established as Ministry for Domestic Trade in October 1990 and the new name and slightly expanded role was given in June 2009.
There is the limitation of manpower, financial, expertise, and system that need be addressed for effective enforcement. Enforcement need dedicated staff and the integrity to resist temptation.
Consumer
At times, the less than effective enforcement is not entirely the weakness of government, in this case KPDNKK.
One major problem in making enforcement effective lies with consumer attitude itself.
There are many cases of supermarket or eatery owner getting charged and penalised heavily, but it does not deter consumers from still coming and giving business.
That does not include the problem with consumer indifference and ignorance attitude
Consumer awareness and power is not strong in this country.
When wholesaler and retailers were raising chicken indiscriminately, consumers especially Malay consumers are not willing to sacrifice and band together to boycott and teach errant businesses a lesson.
In some occasion, Chinese consumer could do so but several past incidents suggest the action more skewed towards protecting racial business interest than a genuine consumer action.
In this area, KPDNKK have been doing program like Skuad Pengguna that monitor and report to the authorities whenever profiteering is spotted. The number of counsumers involved in this program is believed in the hundreds of thousand.
They have initiated a FB called Friends of KPDNKK to disseminate information in which much of their efforts and success have not been reported by the mainstream media.
It also serve for engagement and getting feedback from consumers.
One area and it is one big challenge for KPDNKK would be to breakup the cartel of players monopolising on the supply chain.
The monopoly from the level of importer, wholesaler, distributor and retailers are blocking other players from coming in with the intention to protect their profiteering activities.
Knowing so well no competitor can cut in, retailers can confidently tell off complaining consumers to take it or leave it.
The solution to break-up cartel is necessary and it is for the good of both consumers and for a healthier business condition for all races, and individual to be able to proper together.
After all, most of this cartel owners are no more casting vote for ruling government!