GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has called on the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to crack down on wet market traders who use inaccurate mechanical weighing scales.
CAP highlighted that some traders manipulate these scales by placing calibration stickers in obscure locations, making it difficult for consumers to verify the accuracy of the weights.
CAP President Mohideen Abdul Kader emphasised the importance of visible calibration stickers, which should reassure consumers about the accuracy of the weighing scales.
Traders who use uncalibrated scales are in violation of the Weights and Measures Act 1972.
Mohideen also suggested that the year of calibration should be prominently displayed on the calibration sticker for easy consumer reference.
He stressed the need for clear display of the calibration sticker facing consumers and recommended that each market have two public weighing scales—one for general items and one for halal items—to enable consumers to verify weights.
Additionally, Mohideen called for the inclusion of contact numbers near public weighing scales for consumers to report complaints such as short-weight, price hikes of essential items, or other unfair business practices.
This initiative aims to enhance consumer protection and ensure fair trade practices in wet markets.
In May last year, former Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub had said that the use of mechanical spring scales would be abolished within a year and replaced with electronic ones.