Three retail stores were issued compound and warnings by the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) for violating the Price Control Act, Chapter 142.
Soon Lee Megamart was charged with a $500 fine for displaying price tags not consistent with prices recorded in the payment system.
Meanwhile, notices were given to two other businesses for exhibiting price tags confusing to customers.
DEPS in a statement said that apart from their daily enforcement activities, the department also receives complaints from consumers users through official channels such as the ‘PenggunaBijak’ mobile app; Talian Darussalam hotline 123; and email aduanpengguna@jpes.gov.bn.
“As of September 2022, DEPS received about 62 per cent of complaints from the Darussalam Hotline 123; 11 per cent from the mobile app; and remaining from emails and other methods,” it said.
The ‘PenggunaBijak’ mobile app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
Consumers can submit complaints to DEPS via Talian Darussalam 123 or email aduanpengguna@jpes.gov.bn should they find any misleading business practices by attaching supporting documents such as receipts of payment and pictures as proof.
The department further said that members of the public as consumers also have the role to practice the concept of ‘PenggunaBijak’ (Smart Consumers) by making price comparisons via functions provided in the mobile app for better purchase value.
The department also advised businesses to be alert and comply with the Price Control Act and the regulations under it to ensure fair and ethical trading practices as well as to grow a conducive business environment in the country.
Details about the Act can be found on the mobile application ‘PenggunaBijak’ which can be downloaded via App Store and Google Play.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
