Latest news with #AzmanAdam
Malay Mail
22-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Sellers of fake gold face RM500,000 fine, jail as ministry warns TikTok traders over misleading jewellery labels
PUTRAJAYA, June 22 – Businesses selling gold-plated or imitation precious metal jewellery must clearly label such items with the term 'plated', the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry warned amid a rise of sales on TikTok. New Straits Times quoted ministry enforcement director Azman Adam saying companies and individuals who fail to do so face fines of up to RM25,000 and RM10,000 respectively, while individuals could also face up to a year in jail, or both. 'The aim [of the regulations] is to protect consumers from fraud and ensure transparency in the precious metals market,' he was quoted saying. He emphasised that online sellers are also bound by the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations, which require full disclosure of product details under Schedule 3. 'Any person who uses false trade descriptions regarding the purity of precious metals may also be prosecuted under Regulation 8 of the Trade Descriptions (Articles Made of Precious Metals) Regulations,' he added. This comes as Malaysia Gold Association president Datuk Louis Ng called for a ban on 'gold-wrapped' products, saying they could be mistaken as real gold. However, Azman reportedly said the ministry has not yet received any complaints over the matter. Azman said such offenders can also be charged under Section 5 read with Section 6(f) of the Trade Descriptions Act, under which corporate bodies can be fined up to RM250,000, and up to RM500,000 for repeat offences. Non-corporate offenders may be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed for up to three years, or both, upon conviction. He stressed that sellers must also issue receipts stating the item's specifications as required by Regulation 9 at the time of sale. Azman also cautioned traders against using uncertified gold scales or engaging in fraudulent weighing, offences punishable by fines up to RM40,000, three years' jail, or both under the Weights and Measures Act. He added that misleading sales practices may be investigated under the Consumer Protection Act, and affected consumers can file complaints with the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia.
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
It's regulated: Ministry dismisses call to ban gold-plated products amid TikTok boom
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to ban the sale of gold-plated products as the sale of such items is regulated to protect consumers. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said gold-plated products have been in the market for years, and their increasing popularity did not warrant a ban. Previously, the Malaysia Gold Association (MGA) called for the sale of "gold-wrapped" products to be banned amid their growing popularity on social media platforms like TikTok. Its president, Datuk Louis Ng, said that these items posed a risk to consumers, pawnbrokers, and the gold recycling industry as they could be mistaken for authentic gold. He said a thick layer of gold wrapping could make such items indistinguishable from genuine gold, especially to the untrained eye. Azman said the Trade Descriptions (Articles Made of Precious Metals) Regulations under the Trade Descriptions Act governed the sale of precious metals like gold, silver and platinum. "The aim (of the regulations) is to protect consumers from fraud and ensure transparency in the precious metals market," he told the New Straits Times. Azman said the regulations specified that jewellery coated with gold, silver or platinum must be described with the word "plated" when sold to customers. A company or individual in violation of the law faces a fine of up to RM25,000 or RM10,000, respectively. An individual can also be jailed for up to one year, or both, upon conviction. Action can be taken against traders who fail to comply with this requirement. However, to date, Azman said the ministry had not received any official complaints regarding the sale of gold-plated silver products or gold-like items. Precious metal sales highly regulated Azman said online traders were also subjected to the law, including the requirement to disclose product information under Schedule 3 of the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations. He added that the sale of precious metals was highly regulated against fraud. "Any person who uses false trade descriptions regarding the purity standards of precious metals may also be prosecuted under Regulation 8, Trade Descriptions (Articles Made of Precious Metals) Regulations. "They can also be charged under Section 5 read with Section 6(f) of the Trade Descriptions Act," he said. Under the Act, if the offender is a corporate body, it may be fined up to RM250,000 upon conviction. And for a second or subsequent offence, the fine may be increased to a maximum of RM500,000. If the offender is not a corporate body, he may be fined up to RM100,000 or face imprisonment for up to three years, or both. He added that businesses selling or supplying precious metals must provide a receipt detailing the item's specifications, as mandated under Regulation 9 at the time of supply. Azman also warned that traders using uncertified gold weighing scales or engaging in fraudulent weight measurements could be prosecuted under the Weights and Measures Act. Under Section 14(6) of the Act, any person who uses or possesses for trade purposes any weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument that has not been verified, stamped, certified or approved as required under this section commits an offence. Upon conviction, they may be fined up to RM40,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, or both. The weight, measure or weighing or measuring instrument may be forfeited. The compoundable amount for this offence shall not exceed the maximum fine, which is RM40,000. "Among others, complaints related to misleading sales practices may also be investigated under Sections 9 and 10 of the Consumer Protection Act," he said. Under the Act, if the offender is a corporate body, it may be fined up to RM250,000, and for a second or subsequent offence, the fine may be increased to a maximum of RM500,000. If the offender is not a corporate body, he may be fined up to RM100,000 or face imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Meanwhile, Azman said consumers who felt cheated in a sales transaction could file a claim with the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia. He encouraged consumers to report any concerns by submitting complaints with full and accurate details through WhatsApp: 019-848 8000, 1-800-886-800 and Ez ADU KPDN Mobile App.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SHMMP: 1,478 premises inspected in conjunction with Kaamatan, Gawai Dayak festivals
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) inspected a total of 1,478 business premises nationwide during the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival and Gawai Day 2025. The SHMMP Kaamatan Festival was held from May 27 to June 2, while the SHMMP Gawai Day took place from May 29 to June 4. KPDN enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said that throughout the implementation of the SHMMP Kaamatan Festival, a total of 667 inspections were conducted, with two legal actions taken against non-compliant traders. 'The legal action taken involves cases of failing to use the special pink price tags,' he said in a statement today. The implementation of the SHMMP Gawai Dayak involved 811 inspections, with nine legal actions taken against non-compliant traders, resulting in seizures worth RM1,647.40. Azman said that KPDN did not receive any complaints during the implementation of the SHMMP for both festivals, and the majority of the traders inspected were committed and complied with the maximum price regulations in force throughout the implementation of the scheme. A total of 10 items are covered under the SHMMP Kaamatan Festival, including large imported yellow onions and large imported red onions, while the SHMMP Gawai Day involved 11 types of items, including live old chickens, chicken wings, and imported round cabbage from Indonesia and China, except Beijing cabbage
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SHMMP Inspects 1,478 premises for Kaamatan & Gawai Dayak
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) inspected a total of 1,478 business premises nationwide during the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival and Gawai Day 2025. The SHMMP Kaamatan Festival was held from May 27 to June 2, while the SHMMP Gawai Day took place from May 29 to June 4. KPDN enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said that throughout the implementation of the SHMMP Kaamatan Festival, a total of 667 inspections were conducted, with two legal actions taken against non-compliant traders. 'The legal action taken involves cases of failing to use the special pink price tags,' he said in a statement today. The implementation of the SHMMP Gawai Dayak involved 811 inspections, with nine legal actions taken against non-compliant traders, resulting in seizures worth RM1,647.40. Azman said that KPDN did not receive any complaints during the implementation of the SHMMP for both festivals, and the majority of the traders inspected were committed and complied with the maximum price regulations in force throughout the implementation of the scheme. A total of 10 items are covered under the SHMMP Kaamatan Festival, including large imported yellow onions and large imported red onions, while the SHMMP Gawai Day involved 11 types of items, including live old chickens, chicken wings, and imported round cabbage from Indonesia and China, except Beijing cabbage
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
No permit needed for usage of cooking gas not exceeding 42 kg
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has once again clarified that the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas in a subsidised gas cylinder not exceeding 42 kilogrammes (kg) or three subsidised gas cylinders of 14 kg at one time does not require a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB). Its director-general of enforcement, Datuk Azman Adam said however, businesses that use LPG exceeding 42 kg at a time are advised to apply for a PBKB via the Business Licensing Electronic Support System (BLESS) 2.0. 'The existing legal provisions under the Control of Supplies Act (Amendment) 2021 which have been in effect since Oct 15, 2021, outline that the use of LPG exceeding 42 kg requires the application for a PBKB),' he said in a statement today. Accordingly, he said, throughout the KPDN's Cooking Gas Operation (Ops Gasak) from May 1 to Oct 31, no legal action will be taken against food and beverage (F&B) sales businesses regarding the requirement to have a PBKB for LPG. Instead, the inspection is only at the advocacy, review, and notification stage of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. 'At the same time, throughout Ops Gasak, LPG suppliers are allowed to continue to supply subsidised LPG cylinders to existing customers including F&B service traders even though they do not yet have a PBKB,' he also said. Yesterday, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that any party who does not use LPG cylinders exceeding three 14-kg cylinders or more than 42 kg at any one time, does not need to worry as they are not subject to the regulations to apply for a scheduled goods permit. In this regard, based on the 2021 Regulation, he said that eateries or food shops that do not store or use subsidised LPG cylinders not exceeding three cylinders at any one time are not required to have a scheduled controlled goods permit.
