Liow: Anti-hoarding rule regressive
Published: Jun 2, 2010 9:15 AM | Updated: Jun 2, 2010 9:18 AM
The move to compel traders to obtain a retail licence to sell price-controlled items has been described as “regressive”, given that a similar move had previously failed.
The move to compel traders to obtain a retail licence to sell price-controlled items has been described as “regressive”, given that a similar move had previously failed.
MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai took the opportunity to give a history lesson on the matter to Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob
“Such a ruling was implemented in the 1950s but was withdrawn in the 1980s as it was ineffective. To reintroduce (the) policy is regressive,” Liow said in a statement today.
Ismail had announced yesterday that the sale of controlled items such as sugar, flour and cooking oil will require a retail licence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
The existing exemption was lifted with immediate effect to facilitate action against traders involved in hoarding supplies of controlled goods.
Liow said MCA accepts the ministry’s reasons, but pointed out that the decision has been imposed without consultation with retailers. Many of them are grocers, sundry shop operators and petty traders who will be badly affected.
“It would have been appropriate to hold a dialogue session with affected parties to find ways to avert hoarding,” he added.
Liow said an immediate effect of the decision will be to increase the burden on traders and consumers, and urged that the decision be rescinded.
He also called on enforcement agencies to step up patrols along the borders to prevent smuggling of controlled goods, while monitoring and acting against retailers suspected of hoarding.
MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai took the opportunity to give a history lesson on the matter to Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob
“Such a ruling was implemented in the 1950s but was withdrawn in the 1980s as it was ineffective. To reintroduce (the) policy is regressive,” Liow said in a statement today.
Ismail had announced yesterday that the sale of controlled items such as sugar, flour and cooking oil will require a retail licence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.The existing exemption was lifted with immediate effect to facilitate action against traders involved in hoarding supplies of controlled goods.
Liow said MCA accepts the ministry’s reasons, but pointed out that the decision has been imposed without consultation with retailers. Many of them are grocers, sundry shop operators and petty traders who will be badly affected.
“It would have been appropriate to hold a dialogue session with affected parties to find ways to avert hoarding,” he added.Liow said an immediate effect of the decision will be to increase the burden on traders and consumers, and urged that the decision be rescinded.
He also called on enforcement agencies to step up patrols along the borders to prevent smuggling of controlled goods, while monitoring and acting against retailers suspected of hoarding.
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