Johor KPDN completes investigation on roadside restaurant that charged RM1,200 for a meal

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has completed two investigation papers involving a roadside restaurant in Tepian Tebrau that allegedly charged RM1,200 for a meal.

Its director, Lilis Saslinda Pornomo, said that the restaurant owner was being investigated for not displaying the prices of food being sold and for profiteering.

“Following investigation, we found that two offences were committed, which were not to display the price of food and profiteering.

“We have submitted the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutors, and we will leave it to the court to decide on the next course of action,” she said.

Lilis said this in a press conference after checking on the prices of goods in conjunction with the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme for Deepavali at a supermarket here.

KPDN was investigating the case under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

Meanwhile, Lilis said that the price of chicken in Johor has been stable since the lifting of the chicken subsidy on Nov 1.

“So far, we have not seen any unreasonable increase in the price of chicken. Businesses now have healthy competition to give a better price for chicken.

“Based on our checks, the average price of one kg of chicken is between RM7 and RM8.

“There is also an ample supply of chicken so far, but we urge the public to lodge reports if they come across any shortage,” she said.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu reportedly said the decision to lift the chicken subsidy from Nov 1 was to reduce the leakage of subsidies that have been enjoyed by foreigners and high-income groups.

He also said the move took into account the current trend of supply and prices, which have started to stabilise.

Previously, the ceiling price of standard chicken was set at RM9.40 per kg, while super chicken was RM10.40 per kg.