Everyone, especially those living in the Klang Valley, is trying to get their hands on Touch ‘n Go NFC cards. Previously, we reported that Touch n’ Go was unable to meet the demands because of chip shortages and disruptions to the supply chain. Whenever the company releases a batch of cards for sale, a short moment later, they will be immediately out of stock. Because of the high demand, people are taking advantage of the situation and selling the cards for more than the original price.
According to Utusan Malaysia, a petrol station cashier was apprehended for selling the cards online, five times more than its original price of RM10.
He was caught after an investigation carried out by the enforcement division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Domestic Affairs (KPDNHEP), following complaints from Malaysians about the difficulty of obtaining the cards.
According to the minister of KPDNHEP, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, they found out that people have been selling the cards several times more than the original price in several online marketplaces.
He said, his ministry received four official complaints about the NFC cards, in addition to detecting 13 sales advertisements involving several online platforms from April to 25 September.
He explained, based on the review and information from the managers of the online market platforms, a total of 11 premises including private residences and business buildings were inspected in relation to the same case.
After the initial inspection, a total of six notices in accordance with Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011 were issued to the parties involved, which, among other things, demanded that an official response or explanation be submitted to the KPDNHEP Enforcement Division.
If the party involved failed to do so, they may be subjected to actions in accordance with Section 21(5) AKHAP 2011 for refusing or failing to submit a response.
Minister, KPDNHEP, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi
According to KPDNHEP’s website, the penalties imposed to the sellers who commit profiteering offence are as follows:
Where such person is a body corporate, he is liable to a fine not exceeding RM500,000 and, for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding RM1,000,000; or
Where such person is not a body corporate, he is liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) years or to both, and for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding RM250,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five (5) years or to both.
