Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 1

LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 723

PRICE CONTROL AND ANTI-PROFITEERING ACT 2011

2 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

Date of Royal Assent ... ... 24 January 2011

Date of publication in the

Gazette ... ... ... 27 January 2011

Publisher’s Copyright C
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 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 3

LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 723

PRICE CONTROL AND ANTI-PROFITEERING ACT 2011

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I
PRELIMINARY

Section

1. Short title and commencement

2. Interpretation
3. Appointment of Price Controller, Deputy Price Controller, Assistant
Price Controller, etc.

PART II
DETERMINATION OF PRICES AND CHARGES

4. Power of the Controller to determine prices of goods

5. Power of the Controller to determine charges for services
6. Power of the Controller to determine prices or charges according to
area
7. Power of the Controller to determine the amount of deposit
8. Prices determined to include tax
9. Seller to display list of prices
10. Price marking orders

PART III
OFFENCES

11. Offence to sell price-controlled goods, provide charge-controlled

services, etc., otherwise than in accordance with prices or charges
determined
12. Offence to purchase price-controlled goods or obtain charge-controlled
services, etc., otherwise than in accordance with prices or charges
determined
13. Illegal conditions
4 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723
PART IV

ANTI-PROFITEERING

Section

14. Offence to profiteer

15. Mechanism to determine unreasonably high profit
16. Offer to sell
17. Offer to supply

PART V

PENALTY

18. Penalty

PART VI

INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Chapter 1

Investigation and complaints

19. Investigation by Assistant Controller

20. Complaints to Assistant Controller

Chapter 2

Information Gathering Powers

21. Power of the Assistant Controller to require provision of information

22. Assistant Controller may retain documents
23. Access to records
24. Confidentiality
25. Privileged communication
26. Giving false or misleading information, evidence or document
27. Destruction, concealment, mutilation and alteration of records
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 5
Chapter 3

Powers of Search and Seizure

Section

28. Access to places or premises

29. Power to enter into premises with search warrant
30. Power of entry and search and seizure without a warrant
31. Access to recorded information, computerized data, etc.
32. Tipping-off
33. Warrant admissible notwithstanding defects
34. List of things seized
35. Forfeiture of goods
36. Release of things seized
37. Seizure of perishable goods
38. No cost or damages arising from seizure to be recoverable
39. Obstruction
40. Power of investigation by police officer

PART VII

PRICE ADVISORY COUNCIL

41. Price Advisory Council

42. Membership of Council
43. Temporary exercise of functions of Chairman
44. Vacation of office
45. Revocation of appointment
46. Resignation
47. Filling of vacancy
48. Secretary to Council and other officers
49. Allowances
50. Meetings
51. Council may invite others to meetings
52. Validity of acts and proceedings
53. Regulations relating to the Council
6 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723
PART VIII

GENERAL

Section

54. Jurisdiction to try offences

55. Reward for information
56. Institution of prosecution
57. General penalty
58. Compounding of offences
59. Offences by body corporate
60. Power of Minister to make regulations
61. Public Authorities Protection Act 1948
62. Protection of officers and other persons
63. Saving and transitional
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 7

LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 723

PRICE CONTROL AND ANTI-PROFITEERING ACT 2011

An Act to control prices of goods and charges for services and

to prohibit profiteering and to provide for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.

[ ]

ENACTED by the Parliament of Malaysia as follows:

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Short title and commencement

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Price Control and Anti-
Profiteering Act 2011.

(2) This Act comes into operation on a date to be appointed by

the Minister by notification in the Gazette and the Minister may
appoint different dates for the coming into operation of different
provisions of this Act.

Interpretation

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“this Act” includes any subsidiary legislation made under this

Act;
8 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

“goods” means property of every kind, whether tangible or

intangible, whether moveable or immoveable, but excludes money
and choses-in-action;

“price-controlled goods” means the goods in respect of which

maximum or minimum or fixed prices have been determined
under section 4;

“charge” means any amount of money or any form of consideration

given in exchange for any services;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this

Act;

“electronic” means the technology of utilizing electrical, optical,

magnetic, electromagnetic, biometric, photonic or other similar
technology;

“price” means any amount of money or any form of consideration

given in exchange for any goods;

“sale” includes a sale of goods by an agent on behalf of his

principal or by a servant on behalf of his employer, a sale of
goods on commission or on consignment for sale and an agreement
to sell and offer to sell;

“supply” by whatever means, including through electronic

transactions—
(a) in relation to goods, means the supply, including re-supply,
by way of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase
of the goods; and
(b) in relation to services, means the provision by way of
sale, grant or conferment of the services;

“Minister” means the Minister charged with the responsibility

for domestic trade and consumer affairs;

“authorized officer” means any public officer authorized under

subsection 3(6);
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 9

“Controller” means the Price Controller appointed under

section 3;

“Assistant Controller” means an Assistant Price Controller

appointed under section 3;

“service” means anything done or to be done including the

granting, assignment or surrender of any right or the making
available of any facility or advantage, but excludes supply of
goods or money;

“charge-controlled services” means the services in respect

of which maximum or minimum or fixed charges have been
determined under section 5;

“premises” means any place, stationary or otherwise, established

or set up by any person, whether such place is with or without
enclosure, and includes vehicles, aircrafts, ships and any other
vessel;

“Deputy Controller” means a Deputy Price Controller appointed

under section 3.

Appointment of Price Controller, Deputy Price Controller,

Assistant Price Controller, etc.

3. (1) The Minister may appoint, from among public officers, a

Price Controller, such number of Deputy Price Controllers and
such number of Assistant Price Controllers and other officers as
may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Price Controller shall, subject to the general direction

and control of the Minister, perform the duties imposed and
exercise the powers conferred upon him under this Act.

(3) The Deputy Price Controllers, Assistant Price Controllers

and other officers appointed under subsection (1) shall be under
the direction and control of the Price Controller.

(4) Except as provided in sections 4, 5, 6 and 7, a Deputy Price

Controller may perform all the duties imposed and exercise all
the powers conferred upon the Price Controller under this Act.
10 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

(5) The Price Controller and Deputy Price Controller may

perform all the duties imposed and exercise all the powers
conferred upon an Assistant Price Controller under this Act.

(6) The Minister may authorize any public officer to exercise

all or any of the powers under this Act or any regulations made
under this Act.

(7) All officers appointed under this section shall be deemed

to be public servants within the meaning of the Penal Code
[Act 574].

PART II

DETERMINATION OF PRICES AND CHARGES

Power of the Controller to determine prices of goods

4. The Controller may, with the approval of the Minister, by

order published in the Gazette, determine the maximum, minimum
or fixed price for the manufacturing, producing, wholesaling or
retailing of—
(a) any goods;
(b) any particular class or classes of goods; and
(c) any unit or quantity of any goods,

which may include charges for any service in relation to the

supply, delivery, repair, maintenance, packing, carriage or storage
of such goods.

Power of the Controller to determine charges for services

5. The Controller may, with the approval of the Minister, by

order published in the Gazette, determine the maximum, minimum
or fixed charges for—
(a) any services;
(b) any particular class or classes of services; and
(c) any unit or quantity of any services.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 11

Power of the Controller to determine prices or charges

according to area

6. The Controller, in determining prices of goods or charges for

services under section 4 or 5, may determine different prices or
charges for different areas in respect of like or similar goods or
services.

Power of the Controller to determine the amount of deposit

7. The Controller may determine the amount of the deposit

which any person, selling any price-controlled goods subject to
the condition that the container of those goods is to be returned,
may require in respect of the container, and may prescribe the
amount which that person shall, on the return of the container,
refund to the person by whom the container is returned and the
conditions subject to which the refund shall become payable.

Prices determined to include tax

8. Where prices of any goods or charges for any services are

determined under this Part, such prices or charges shall include
all government taxes, duties and any other charges.

Seller to display list of prices

9. (1) Any person who offers to sell any price-controlled goods

or offers to supply any charge-controlled services shall display a
list of the prices of the price-controlled goods or the charges for
the charge-controlled services in a conspicuous position easily read
by any person intending to purchase such goods or services.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if it is not practicable to

display the list of prices or charges as required under subsection (1),
the list of prices or charges shall be displayed in the manner as
determined by the Controller.

(3) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2)
commits an offence.
12 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

Price marking orders

10. (1) Where it appears to the Minister necessary or expedient

that any goods or services which are to be supplied should be
marked with or accompanied by any information concerning the
prices of the goods or the charges for the services, the Minister
may, by order published in the Gazette, impose requirements that
the goods or services be so marked with or accompanied by such
information and the requirements may extend to the form and
manner in which the information is to be given.

(2) The Minister may prescribe a penalty of a fine not exceeding

one hundred thousand ringgit for the contravention of or failure
to comply with the provision of the order.

PART III

OFFENCES

Offence to sell price-controlled goods, provide charge-controlled

services, etc., otherwise than in accordance with prices or
charges determined

11. Any person who sells or offers to sell any price-controlled

goods or provides or offers to provide any charge-controlled
services or who collects deposit otherwise than in accordance
with the prices or charges determined by the Controller under
section 4, 5 or 7 commits an offence.

Offence to purchase price-controlled goods or obtain charge-

controlled services, etc., otherwise than in accordance with
prices or charges determined

12. (1) Any person who purchases or offers to purchase any

price-controlled goods or obtains or offers to obtain any charge-
controlled services otherwise than in accordance with the prices
or charges determined by the Controller under section 4, 5 or 7
commits an offence.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 13

(2) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), it

shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he had
no knowledge and acted in good faith in purchasing or offering
to purchase any price-controlled goods or obtaining or offering to
obtain any charge-controlled services at prices or charges otherwise
than in accordance with the prices or charges determined by the
Controller.

Illegal conditions

13. Any person who, in selling any price-controlled goods or in

providing any charge-controlled services, imposes any condition of
sale in relation to the prices of goods or the charges for services
other than a condition—

(i) requiring immediate payment therefor;

(ii) prescribing the time within which payment is to be made

or delivery is to be taken or service is to be provided;
or

(iii) requiring a deposit in respect of any container for those

goods,

commits an offence.

PART IV

ANTI-PROFITEERING

Offence to profiteer

14. (1) Any person who, in the course of trade or business,

profiteers in selling or offering to sell or supplying or offering
to supply any goods or services commits an offence.

(2) For the purpose of this Act, “profiteer” means making

profit unreasonably high.
14 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

Mechanism to determine unreasonably high profit

15. (1) The Minister shall prescribe the mechanism to determine

that profit is unreasonably high and different types of mechanism
may be prescribed to cater for different conditions and circumstances
as the Minister deems fit.

(2) In formulating the mechanism under subsection (1), the

Minister may take into consideration the following matters:
(a) any tax imposition;
(b) the supplier’s cost;
(c) supply and demand conditions;
(d) the conditions and circumstances of geographical or
product market; or
(e) any other relevant matters in relation to the prices of
goods or charges for services.

Offer to sell

16. For the purpose of this Act, an offer to sell shall be deemed
to include the exposing of goods for sale, the publication of a
price list, the furnishing of a quotation of any goods or services
or any other act or notification whatsoever by which willingness
to enter into any transaction of sale is expressed.

Offer to supply

17. For the purpose of this Act—

(a) in relation to goods, a person exposing goods for supply
or having goods in his possession for supply; or
(b) in relation to services, a person advertising the
services,

shall be deemed to offer or supply them.

 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 15

PART V

PENALTY

Penalty

18. Any person who commits any offence under Part III or Part
IV shall, on conviction, be liable—
(a) where such person is a body corporate, to a fine not
exceeding five hundred thousand ringgit and, for a
second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding
one million ringgit; or
(b) where such person is not a body corporate, to a fine
not exceeding one hundred thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to
both and, for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine
not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand ringgit
or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years
or to both.

PART VI

INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Chapter 1

Investigation and complaints

Investigation by Assistant Controller

19. Where an Assistant Controller has reasonable grounds to

suspect that any offence is or will be committed under this Act,
the Assistant Controller may conduct such investigation as he
thinks expedient for the due administration of this Act.

Complaints to Assistant Controller

20. (1) An Assistant Controller may, upon a complaint by a

person, conduct an investigation on any person who has committed
or is committing any offence under this Act.
16 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

(2) The complaint shall specify the person against whom the
complaint is made and details of the alleged offence under this
Act.

Chapter 2

Information Gathering Powers

Power of the Assistant Controller to require provision of

information

21. (1) This section applies to a person if the Assistant Controller

in carrying out an investigation under this Part has reason to
believe that the person—
(a) has any information (including, but not limited to, records,
accounts and computerized data) or any document that is
relevant to the performance of the Assistant Controller’s
powers and functions under this Act; or
(b) is capable of giving any evidence which the Assistant
Controller has reason to believe is relevant to the
performance of the Assistant Controller’s powers and
functions under this Act.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law,

the Assistant Controller, by written notice, may direct any
person—
(a) to provide the Assistant Controller, within the period and
in the manner and form specified in the notice, any
information or document referred to in subsection (1);
(b) to produce to the Assistant Controller, within the period
and in the manner specified in the notice, any information
or document referred to in subsection (1), whether in
physical form or in electronic media;
(c) to make copies of, or extracts from, any document referred
to in subsection (1) and to produce copies or extracts
of such documents, as the case may be, to the Assistant
Controller within the period and in the manner specified
in the notice;
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 17

(d) if the person is an individual, to appear before the Assistant

Controller at a time and place specified in the notice
to give any information, either orally or in writing, and
produce any document referred to in subsection (1),
whether in physical form or in electronic media;
(e) if the person is a body corporate, to cause a relevant
and competent officer of the body to appear before the
Assistant Controller at a time and place specified in the
notice to give any information, either orally or in writing,
and produce any document referred to in subsection (1),
whether in physical form or in electronic media;
(f) if the person is a partnership, to cause an individual who
is a partner in the partnership or an employee of the
partnership to appear before the Assistant Controller
at a time and place specified in the notice to give any
information, either orally or in writing, and produce
any document referred to in subsection (1), whether in
physical form or in electronic media; or
(g) to make a statement to the Assistant Controller providing
an explanation of any information or document referred
to in subsection (1) within the period and in the manner
and form specified in the notice.

(3) Where the Assistant Controller directs any person to

produce any document under subsection (2) and the person is
not in custody of the document, that person shall—
(a) state, to the best of his knowledge and belief, where the
document may be found; and
(b) identify, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the last
person who had custody of the document and where that
last-mentioned person may be found.

(4) Any person directed to provide information under subsection (2)

or (3) shall ensure that the information provided is true, accurate and
complete and such person shall provide an express representation
to that effect, including a declaration that he is not aware of any
other information which would make the information provided
untrue or misleading.

(5) Any person who refuses or fails to comply with the direction
made by the Assistant Controller under this section commits an
offence.
18 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

Assistant Controller may retain documents

22. (1) The Assistant Controller may take and retain for as long
as is necessary, possession of any document obtained under this
Part.

(2) The person who provided the document is entitled to be

supplied, as soon as practicable, with a copy certified by the
Assistant Controller to be a true copy of the document.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, the

certified copy of the document shall be admissible as evidence
as if it were the original document.

(4) If the Assistant Controller is satisfied that the retaining of

the document is no longer necessary, the Assistant Controller may
return the document to the person who provided the document,
as soon as practicable.

Access to records

23. (1) Any person shall, if at any time directed by the Assistant
Controller, allow the Assistant Controller to have access to his
books, records, accounts, documents, computerized data, thing
or matter for the purposes of carrying out any of the Assistant
Controller’s functions or powers under this Act.

(2) Any person who fails to comply with the direction made
by the Assistant Controller under subsection (1) commits an
offence.

Confidentiality

24. (1) Any person who discloses or makes use of any confidential
information with respect to a particular enterprise or the affairs
of an individual obtained by virtue of any provision of this Act
commits an offence.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall operate to prevent the

disclosure of information where—
(a) the disclosure is made with the consent of the person from
whom the information or document was obtained;
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 19

(b) the disclosure is made in circumstances where the

information provided is framed in such a manner that the
source of the information could not be ascertained;
(c) the information is already in the public domain;
(d) the disclosure is made to facilitate the performance of
the functions of the Controller, Deputy Controller or
Assistant Controller;
(e) the disclosure is reasonably made during any proceedings
under this Act provided that such disclosure is not made
against any direction by the Controller, Deputy Controller
or Assistant Controller before which those proceedings
are taking place; or
(f) the disclosure is made in connection with the investigation
of an offence under this Act.

(3) For the purposes of this section, “confidential information”

means trade, business or industrial information that belongs to any
person, that has economic value and is not generally available to
or known by others.

Privileged communication

25. (1) No person shall be required, under any provision of

this Part, to produce or disclose any communication between a
professional legal adviser and his client which would be protected
from disclosure in accordance with section 126 of the Evidence
Act 1950 [Act 56].

(2) Where—
(a) the Controller makes a requirement under section 21 of
an advocate and solicitor in respect of information or
document; and
(b) the information or document contains a privileged
communication made by or on behalf of or to the
advocate and solicitor in his capacity as an advocate
and solicitor,

the advocate and solicitor is entitled to refuse to comply with

the requirement unless the person to whom or by or on behalf of
whom the communication was made or, if the person is a body
20 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

corporate that is under receivership or is in the course of being

wound up, the receiver or the liquidator, as the case may be,
agrees to the advocate and solicitor complying with the requirement
but, where the advocate and solicitor so refuses to comply with
a requirement, the advocate and solicitor shall forthwith furnish
in writing to the Controller the name and address of the person
to whom or by or on behalf of whom the communication was
made.

Giving false or misleading information, evidence or

document

26. A person who fails to disclose or omits to give any relevant

information, document or evidence, or provides any information,
document or evidence that he knows or has reason to believe is
false or misleading, in the course of investigation by the Assistant
Controller, commits an offence.

Destruction, concealment, mutilation and alteration of

records

27. A person who—

(a) destroys, conceals, mutilates or alters; or
(b) sends or attempts to send or conspires with any other
person to remove from his premises or send out of
Malaysia,

any book, record, accounts, document, computerized data, thing

or matter kept or maintained with intent to defraud the Assistant
Controller or to prevent, delay or obstruct the carrying out of
an investigation or the exercise of any power by the Assistant
Controller under this Act commits an offence.

Chapter 3

Powers of Search and Seizure

Access to places or premises

28. (1) The Assistant Controller shall have access at all times,
to any places or premises where any business is carried out for
the purpose of collecting or monitoring the prices of goods or
charges for services.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 21

(2) The Assistant Controller in accessing the places or premises

under subsection (1) may bring with him any authorized officer
as he thinks necessary for the due administration of this Act.

Power to enter into premises with search warrant

29. (1) If it appears to a Magistrate, upon written information on

oath and after such inquiry as he considers necessary, that there
are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed
or is committing an offence under this Act, that any evidence or
thing which is necessary to the conduct of an investigation into
any offence may be found in any premises, the Magistrate may
issue a warrant authorizing any Assistant Controller named in
the warrant to enter the premises at any time, with or without
assistance, and if need be by force to search for and seize any
such evidence or thing.

(2) Without affecting the generality of subsection (1), the

warrant issued by the Magistrate may authorize the search and
seizure of any book, record, accounts, document, computerized
data, goods or thing which contains or is reasonably suspected
to contain information as to any offence suspected to have been
committed or is otherwise necessary to conduct an investigation
into any offence.

(3) The Assistant Controller conducting a search under subsection

(1) may, for the purpose of investigating into the offence, search
any person who is in or on the premises.

(4) The Assistant Controller making a search of a person under

subsection (3) may seize, or take possession of, and place in
safe custody all things other than the necessary clothing found
upon the person, and any other things, for which there is reason
to believe are the instruments or evidence of the offence, and
such things may be detained until the order by the court for its
disposal.

(5) If, by the reason of its nature, size or amount, it is not

practicable to remove any book, record, accounts, document,
computerized data, goods or thing seized under this section, the
Assistant Controller who effected the seizure shall by any means
seal the premises or container in which such book, record, accounts,
document, computerized data, goods or thing is found.
22 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

(6) A person who, without lawful authority, breaks, tampers

with or damages the seal referred to in subsection (5) or removes
any book, record, accounts, document, computerized data, goods
or thing under seal or attempts to do so commits an offence.

Power of entry and search and seizure without a warrant

30. If the Assistant Controller is satisfied upon information received

that he has reasonable cause to believe that by reason of delay
in obtaining a search warrant under section 29 the investigation
would be adversely affected or evidence of the commission of an
infringement or offence is likely to be tampered with, removed,
damaged or destroyed, the Assistant Controller may enter the
premises and exercise in, upon and in respect of the premises
all the powers referred to in section 29 in as full and ample a
manner as if he were authorized to do so by a warrant issued
under that section.

Access to recorded information, computerized data, etc.

31. (1) Any Assistant Controller exercising his powers under

section 29 or section 30 shall be given access to any recorded
information or computerized or digitalized data, whether stored
in a computer or otherwise.

(2) In exercising his powers, the Assistant Controller—

(a) may inspect and check the operation of any computer
and any associated apparatus or material which he
has reasonable cause to suspect is or has been used in
connection with that information or data; and
(b) may require—
(i) the person, by whom or on whose behalf, the officer
has reasonable cause to suspect, the computer is
or has been so used; or
(ii) the person having charge of, or is otherwise concerned
with, the operation of the computer, apparatus or
material,

to provide him with such reasonable assistance as he may require

for the purposes of this section.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 23

(3) The Assistant Controller may make copies or take extracts

of the recorded information, computerized or digitalized data if
he deems it necessary.

(4) For the purposes of this section, “access” includes being

provided with the necessary password, encryption code, decryption
code, software or hardware and any other means required to
enable comprehension of recorded information, computerized or
digitalized data.

Tipping-off

32. (1) Any person who—

(a) knows or has reason to suspect that an Assistant Controller
is acting, or is proposing to act, in connection with an
investigation which is being, or is about to be, conducted
under or for the purposes of this Act or any subsidiary
legislation made under this Act and discloses to any other
person information or any other matter which is likely
to prejudice that investigation or proposed investigation;
or
(b) knows or has reason to suspect that a disclosure has
been made to an Assistant Controller under this Act and
discloses to any other person information or any other
matter which is likely to prejudice any investigation
which might be conducted following the disclosure,

commits an offence.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) makes it an offence for an advocate

and solicitor or his employee to disclose any information or other
matter—
(a) to his client or the client’s representative in connection
with the giving of advice to the client in the course and
for the purpose of the professional employment of the
advocate and solicitor; or
(b) to any person in contemplation of, or in connection with
and for the purpose of, any legal proceedings.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to any information

or other matter which is disclosed with a view to furthering any
illegal purpose.
24 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

(4) In proceedings against a person for an offence under this

section, it is a defence to prove that—
(a) he did not know or suspect that the disclosure made under
paragraph (1)(b) was likely to prejudice the investigation;
or
(b) he had lawful authority or reasonable excuse for making
the disclosure.

(5) An Assistant Controller or other person does not commit

an offence under this section in respect of anything done by him
in the course of acting in connection with the enforcement, or
intended enforcement, of this Act.

Warrant admissible notwithstanding defects

33. A search warrant issued under this Act shall be valid and
enforceable notwithstanding any defect, mistake or omission
therein or in the application for such warrant and any book,
record, accounts, document, computerized data, goods or thing
seized under such warrant shall be admissible in evidence in any
proceedings under this Act.

List of things seized

34. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), where any book,

record, accounts, document, computerized data, goods or thing is
seized under this Part, the Assistant Controller who effected the
seizure shall as soon as practicable prepare a list of the things
seized and immediately deliver a copy of the list signed by him
to the occupier of the premises which has been searched, or to
his agent or servant, at the premises.

(2) Where the premises are unoccupied, the Assistant Controller

who effected the seizure shall wherever possible post a list of
the things seized conspicuously on the premises.

Forfeiture of goods

35. (1) All goods seized in exercise of any power conferred

under this Act shall be liable to forfeiture.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 25

(2) An order for the forfeiture or for the release of any goods
seized in exercise of any power conferred under this Act shall
be made by the court before which the prosecution with regard
thereto has been held and an order for the forfeiture of the goods
shall be made if it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that
an offence under this Act has been committed and that the goods
were the subject matter of or were used in the commission of the
offence notwithstanding that no person may have been convicted
of such offence.

(3) If there be no prosecution with regard to any goods seized

in exercise of any power conferred under this Act, such goods
shall be taken and deemed to be forfeited at the expiration of one
calendar month from the date of seizure unless a claim thereto
is made before the date in the manner hereinafter set forth.

(4) Any person asserting that he is the owner of such goods

and that they are not liable to forfeiture may personally or by
his agent authorised in writing give written notice to an Assistant
Controller that he claims the same.

(5) On receipt of such notice the Assistant Controller shall

refer the claim to the Controller who may direct that such goods
be released or may direct the Assistant Controller to refer the
matter to a court for decision.

(6) The court to which the matter is referred shall issue a

summons requiring the person asserting that he is the owner of
the goods and the person from whom they were seized to appear
before it and upon his appearance or default to appear, due
service of the summons being proved, the court shall proceed
to the examination of the matter and on proof that an offence
under this Act has been committed and that such goods were the
subject matter or were used in the commission of such offence
shall order the same to be forfeited or may in the absence of
such proof order their release.

(7) All things forfeited or deemed to be forfeited shall be

delivered to the Assistant Controller and shall be disposed of in
accordance with the directions of the Controller.
26 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

Release of things seized

36. (1) If any book, record, accounts, document, computerized

data, goods or thing has been seized under this Act, the Assistant
Controller who effected the seizure, may release the book, record,
accounts, document, computerized data, goods or thing to the
person he determines to be lawfully entitled to it, if the book,
record, accounts, document, computerized data, goods or thing is
not otherwise required for the purpose of any proceedings under
this Act, or for the purpose of any prosecution under any other
written law, and in such event neither the Assistant Controller
effecting the seizure, nor the Federal Government, the Controller
or any person acting on behalf of the Federal Government or the
Controller shall be liable to any proceedings by any person if the
seizure and the release of the book, record, accounts, document,
computerized data, goods or thing had been effected in good
faith.

(2) A record in writing shall be made by the Assistant Controller

effecting the release of anything under subsection (1) specifying
in detail the circumstances of and the reason for the release.

Seizure of perishable goods

37. Where any goods seized in exercise of the power conferred

by this Act are of perishable nature or where the custody of
such goods involves unreasonable expense and inconvenience,
such goods may be sold by the Assistant Controller at any time
and the proceeds of the sale held to abide by the result of any
prosecution or claim under this section.

No cost or damages arising from seizure to be recoverable

38. No person shall, in any proceedings before any court in

respect of any book, record, accounts, document, computerized
data, goods or thing seized in the exercise or the purported
exercise of any power conferred under this Act, be entitled to
the costs of such proceedings or to any damages or other relief
unless such seizure was made without reasonable cause.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 27

Obstruction

39. Any person who—

(a) refuses any Assistant Controller access to any premises
which the Assistant Controller is entitled to have under
this Act or in the execution of any duty imposed or
power conferred by this Act;
(b) assaults, obstructs, hinders or delays any Assistant Controller
in effecting any entry which the Assistant Controller is
entitled to effect under this Act or in the execution of
any duty imposed or power conferred by this Act; or
(c) refuses to give any Assistant Controller any information
relating to an offence or a suspected offence under this
Act or any other information which may reasonably by
required of him and which he has in his knowledge or
power to give,

commits an offence.

Power of investigation by police officer

40. Any Assistant Controller investigating any commission of

an offence under this Act, may exercise all or any of the powers
in relation to police investigation in seizable cases given by the
Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593].

PART VII

PRICE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Price Advisory Council

41. The Minister may establish a Price Advisory Council to

advise him on the following matters:
(a) issues relating to profiteering; and
(b) any other matters relating to the prices of goods and
charges for services.
28 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

Membership of Council

42. (1) The Council shall consist of the following members:

(a) the Chairman who shall be the Secretary General of the
Ministry responsible for domestic trade and consumer
affairs or his representative;
(b) four members representing the Government to be appointed
by the Minister;
(c) not more than six other members, to be appointed by
the Minister, who have experience and knowledge in
matters relating to business, industry, commerce, law,
economics, public administration, fair trade, competition,
consumer protection or any other suitable qualification
as the Minister may determine.

(2) The members referred to in paragraphs (1)(b) and (c)—

(a) shall be appointed for a term not exceeding two years;
and
(b) shall be eligible for reappointment upon expiry of his
term of office.

(3) The Minister shall appoint from among the members of

the Council a Deputy Chairman.

Temporary exercise of functions of Chairman

43. (1) Where the Chairman is for any reason unable to perform
his functions or during any period of vacancy in the office of
the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman shall perform the functions
of the Chairman.

(2) Where both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are
for any reason unable to perform the functions of the Chairman
or during any period of vacancy in the offices of the Chairman
and Deputy Chairman, the Minister may appoint any member of
the Council to perform the functions of the Chairman.

(3) The Deputy Chairman or the member appointed under

subsection (2), as the case may be, shall, during the period in
which he is performing the functions of the Chairman under this
section, be deemed to be the Chairman.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 29

Vacation of office

44. The office of a member of the Council shall become

vacant—
(a) upon the death of the member;
(b) upon the member resigning from such office by letter
addressed to the Minister; or
(c) upon the expiration of his term of office.

Revocation of appointment

45. The Minister may revoke the appointment of a member of

the Council referred to in paragraph 42(1)(b) and (c)—
(a) if his conduct, whether in connection with his duties as
a member of the Council or otherwise, has been such
as to bring discredit to the Council;
(b) if he has become incapable of properly carrying out his
duties as a member of the Council;
(c) if there has been proved against him, or he has been
convicted on, a charge in respect of—
(i) an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral
turpitude;
(ii) an offence under a law relating to corruption;
(iii) an offence under this Act; or
(iv) any other offence punishable with imprisonment for
more than two years;

(d) if he is adjudicated a bankrupt;

(e) if he has been found or declared to be of unsound mind
or has otherwise become incapable of managing his
affairs; or
(f) if he absents himself from three consecutive meetings of
the Council without obtaining leave in writing from the
Chairman.
30 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

Resignation

46. A member of the Council appointed under paragraph 42(1)(b)

and (c) may at any time resign his office by a letter addressed
to the Minister.

Filling of vacancy

47. Where a member appointed under paragraph 42(1)(b) and (c)

ceases to be a member of the Council, the Minister may appoint
another person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term
for which the vacating member was appointed.

Secretary to Council and other officers

48. There shall be appointed a Secretary to the Council and such

other officers as may be necessary to assist the Council.

Allowances

49. The members of the Council shall be paid such allowances

as the Minister may determine.

Meetings

50. The Council shall meet as and when necessary as determined

by the Minister.

Council may invite others to meetings

51. (1) The Council may invite any person to attend a meeting
or deliberation of the Council for the purpose of advising it on
any matter under discussion but that person shall not be entitled
to vote at the meeting or deliberation.

(2) A person invited under subsection (1) shall be paid such

allowances as the Minister may determine.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 31

Validity of acts and proceedings

52. No act done or proceedings taken under this Act shall be

questioned on the ground of—
(a) a vacancy in the membership of, or a defect in the
constitution of, the Council; or
(b) an omission, a defect or an irregularity not affecting the
merit of the case.

Regulations relating to the Council

53. The Minister may make such regulations as he thinks necessary

or expedient in respect of this Part.

PART VIII

GENERAL

Jurisdiction to try offences

54. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary written in any

law, a Sessions Court shall have jurisdiction to try any offence
under this Act and to impose the full punishment for any such
offence.

Reward for information

55. In the case of a conviction involving a fine, the court imposing

the fine may, on the application of the prosecuting officer, direct
the payment of any part of the fine, in such proportion as the court
thinks fit but in any case not exceeding one half of such fine, to
the person who gave the information leading to the conviction.

Institution of prosecution

56. No prosecution for or in relation to any offence under this Act

shall be instituted without the consent of the Public Prosecutor.
32 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

General penalty

57. Any person guilty of an offence under this Act for which no
penalty is expressly provided shall, on conviction, be liable—
(a) if such person is a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding
one hundred thousand ringgit, and for a second or
subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding two hundred
and fifty thousand ringgit; or
(b) if such person is not a body corporate, to a fine not
exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for
a term not exceeding two years or to both, and for a
second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding
one hundred thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding five years or to both.

Compounding of offences

58. (1) The Controller may, with the consent in writing of the
Public Prosecutor, compound any offence committed by any person
under this Act by making a written offer to the person suspected
to have committed the offence to compound the offence upon
payment to the Controller of an amount not exceeding fifty per
centum of the amount of maximum fine for that offence within
such time as may be specified in the written offer.

(2) An offer under subsection (1) may be made at any time

after the offence has been committed but before any prosecution
for it has been instituted, and if the amount specified in the offer
is not paid within the time specified in the offer or such extended
time as the Controller may grant, prosecution for the offence may
be instituted at any time after that against the person to whom
the offer was made.

(3) Where an offence has been compounded under subsection (1),

no prosecution shall be instituted in respect of the offence against
the person to whom the offer to compound was made, and any book,
record, accounts, document, computerized data, goods and thing seized
in connection with the offence may be released by the Controller,
subject to such terms and conditions as the Controller thinks fit
to impose in accordance with the conditions of the compound.

(4) All sums of money received by the Controller under this

section shall be paid into the Federal Consolidated Fund.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 33

Offences by body corporate

59. (1) If a body corporate commits an offence under this Act,

any person who at the time of the commission of the offence was
a director, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, manager,
secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or was
purporting to act in any such capacity or was in any manner or to
any extent responsible for the management of any of the affairs
of the body corporate or was assisting in such management—
(a) may be charged severally or jointly in the same proceedings
with the body corporate; and
(b) if the body corporate is found guilty of the offence, shall
be deemed to be guilty of that offence unless, having
regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity
and to all circumstances, he proves—
(i) that the offence was committed without his knowledge,
consent or connivance; and
(ii) that he had taken all reasonable precautions and
exercised due diligence to prevent the commission
of the offence.

(2) If any person would be liable under this Act to any

punishment or penalty for his act, omission, neglect or default,
he shall be liable to the same punishment or penalty for every
such act, omission, neglect or default of any employee or agent
of his, or of the employee of the agent, if the act, omission,
neglect or default was committed—
(a) by that person’s employee in the course of his
employment;
(b) by the agent when acting on behalf of that person; or
(c) by the employee of the agent in the course of his
employment by the agent or otherwise on behalf of the
agent acting on behalf of that person.

Power of Minister to make regulations

60. (1) The Minister may make any regulations as may be

expedient or necessary for the better carrying into effect of the
provisions of this Act.
34 Laws of Malaysia ACT 723

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1),

the regulations may be made for all or any of the following
purposes:
(a) prescribing any matter which is required under this Act
to be prescribed; and
(b) prescribing a penalty or a fine not exceeding two hundred
and fifty thousand ringgit for the contravention of or
failure to comply with any of the provisions of any
regulations made under this Act.

Public Authorities Protection Act 1948

61. The Public Authorities Protection Act 1948 [Act 198] shall
apply to any action, suit, prosecution or proceedings against the
Controller, Deputy Controller, Assistant Controller or against the
Chairman, any member of the Council and employees or agents
of the Controller or the Council in respect of any act, neglect or
default done or committed by him in good faith or any omission
omitted by him in good faith, in such capacity.

Protection of officers and other persons

62. No action or prosecution shall be brought, instituted or

maintained in any court against—
(a) the Controller, Deputy Controller, Assistant Controller or
any other person in respect of any act ordered or done
for the purpose of carrying into effect this Act; and
(b) any other person in respect of any act done or purported to
be done by him under the order, direction or instruction
of the Controller or an authorized officer if the act was
done in good faith and in a reasonable belief that it was
necessary for the purpose intended to be served by it.

Saving and transitional

63. (1) The Price Control Act 1946 [Act 121] (the “repealed
Act”) is repealed.

(2) The persons who were appointed under the repealed Act
shall continue to be officers under this Act as if those persons
had been appointed under section 3 of this Act.
 Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 35

(3) All regulations, rules and orders made under the repealed
Act, shall continue to be in operation and have effect as if they
had been made under this Act until replaced or revoked by any
regulations, rules and orders made under this Act.

(4) Any inquiry, trial and proceedings done, taken or commenced

under the repealed Act immediately before the commencement of
this Act shall be continued or concluded under and in accordance
with the provisions of the repealed Act.

DICETAK OLEH
PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BERHAD,
KUALA LUMPUR
BAGI PIHAK DAN DENGAN PERINTAH KERAJAAN MALAYSIA