Traders risk RM100,000 fine for hidden charges, Parliament told

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, announced that traders in Malaysia who impose hidden fees or disclose additional charges at the final transaction stage could face significant fines and legal action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and the Consumer Protection Act 1999.

These measures aim to ensure price transparency across various sectors, including services, food, and online transactions.

The Ministry has also introduced guidelines for all-inclusive pricing and mandated clear price display requirements.

Consumers are urged to verify final prices and report discrepancies.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Traders who impose hidden charges or disclose additional fees only at the final stage of a transaction may face legal action, including fines of up to RM100,000, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

He said the practice misled consumers and undermined their right to know the actual price before making a purchase.

“This means consumers should have clear information on the amount they need to pay, rather than discovering certain charges at the final stage of a transaction,” he said in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Muhammad Islahuddin Abas (PN-Mersing) on measures taken by the ministry to curb the practice of imposing additional or hidden charges disclosed only at the final stage of a transaction, resulting in the actual price exceeding the displayed or advertised price, particularly in the services, food and beverage, and online transaction sectors.

Armizan said Section 10B(1) of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 [Act 723] allows action against businesses that fail to include all taxes, duties, and other charges in the prices of goods or services they display, advertise, publish, or quote.

The same Act stipulates under Section 57 that corporate bodies found in breach of the provision may be fined up to RM100,000, while individuals face penalties of up to RM50,000 in fines, two years’ imprisonment, or both.

He said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) also had enforcement powers under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 [Act 599], particularly Section 12(1)(a), which makes misleading representations about the price of goods or services an offence.

Section 12(3)(c) of the Act further stipulates that a price display is considered misleading if it gives the impression that the stated price covers everything, when additional charges are in fact imposed separately.

“Sections 9 and 10 of the Act also prohibit false or misleading claims about the nature and characteristics of goods or services. The provisions cover both transactions at physical business premises and online transactions.

“Those found in breach of the relevant provisions may be penalised under Section 145 of Act 599. The penalty for corporate bodies is a fine of up to RM100,000, while individuals may be fined up to RM50,000, jailed for up to three years, or both,” he said.

Armizan said KPDN had introduced guidelines on the All-Inclusive Pricing Policy to promote price transparency, particularly in the food and beverage, e-commerce and delivery sectors, requiring consumers to be informed of the total price, including the base price, service charges and delivery fees, before confirming an order.

He said the ministry also enforced the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking of Goods and Charges for Services) Order 2020, which requires service providers and business premises to display clearly and prominently a list of services offered and the charges imposed.

“The ministry will continue to step up monitoring and enforcement to ensure traders comply with price disclosure requirements, and urges consumers to check the final price before making payment.

“Consumers should also report to KPDN any instances of hidden fees or discrepancies between advertised prices and the actual amounts charged,” he added. — Bernama

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国内贸易及生活成本部长拿督阿米赞·莫哈末·阿里宣布，马来西亚的商家如果收取隐性费用或在最终交易阶段披露额外费用，可能会根据 2011 年价格控制和反暴利法令以及 1999 年消费者保护法令面临巨额罚款和法律诉讼。

这些措施旨在确保各个领域（包括服务业、食品业和在线交易业）的价格透明度。

该部还出台了全包价格指南，并强制要求明确标价。

消费者务必核实最终价格，并举报任何差异。

吉隆坡，11月3日讯——国内贸易及生活成本部长拿督阿米赞·莫哈末·阿里表示，商家若收取隐性费用或仅在交易最后阶段披露额外费用，可能面临法律诉讼，包括最高10万令吉的罚款。

他表示，这种做法误导了消费者，损害了他们在购买前了解实际价格的权利。

“这意味着消费者应该清楚了解他们需要支付的金额，而不是在交易的最后阶段才发现某些费用，”他今天在国会下议院的书面答复中说。

他是在回应穆罕默德·伊斯兰胡丁·阿巴斯（国民党-梅尔辛）提出的问题，该问题涉及该部为遏制在交易的最后阶段才披露额外或隐藏费用的做法而采取的措施，这种做法导致实际价格超过显示或广告价格，尤其是在服务、食品和饮料以及在线交易领域。

阿米赞表示，《2011 年价格控制和反暴利法》（第 723 号法案）第 10B(1) 条允许对未将所有税款、关税和其他费用计入其展示、广告、发布或报价的商品或服务价格的企业采取行动。

该法令第 57 条规定，违反该规定的公司团体可处以最高 10 万令吉的罚款，而个人则面临最高 5 万令吉的罚款、两年监禁或两者并罚。

他表示，国内贸易和生活成本部 (KPDN) 也根据 1999 年《消费者保护法》（第 599 号法令）拥有执法权，特别是第 12(1)(a) 条，该条规定对商品或服务的价格作出误导性陈述属于违法行为。

该法第 12(3)(c) 条进一步规定，如果价格显示给人以标价包含所有费用的印象，而实际上另行收取额外费用，则该价格显示被视为误导性价格。

该法第9条和第10条还禁止对商品或服务的性质和特征做出虚假或误导性声明。这些规定涵盖实体营业场所的交易和在线交易。

“凡违反相关规定的，均可根据第599号法令第145条受到处罚。法人团体最高可被处以10万令吉的罚款，个人最高可被处以5万令吉的罚款、三年监禁，或两者并罚。”他说道。

Armizan表示，印尼消费者发展局（KPDN）已推出全包定价政策指南，以促进价格透明度，尤其是在食品饮料、电子商务和配送领域，要求消费者在确认订单前被告知总价，包括基本价格、服务费和配送费。

他表示，该部还执行了 2020 年《价格控制和反暴利（商品价格标记和服务收费）令》，该法令要求服务提供商和营业场所清晰醒目地展示所提供的服务清单和收费标准。

“该部将继续加强监督和执法，以确保贸易商遵守价格披露要求，并敦促消费者在付款前核实最终价格。

他还补充说：“消费者也应向马来西亚产品开发署（KPDN）举报任何隐性收费或广告价格与实际收费不符的情况。”——马新社

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