The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism will resume seizures of paintbrushes made from pig bristles next month. I would like to offer some legal advice to affected businesses.
According to the Trade Descriptions (Goods Made from any Part of Pig or Dog) Order 2013, businesses that do not label such products can be prosecuted. Individuals may face a RM100,000 fine or three years’ imprisonment, while corporations may face a maximum RM200,000 fine.
Therefore, what is illegal is not the selling of such goods, but the mislabeling.
I am extremely displeased at BN’s continuous playing up of religious sentiments in the country.
Under present circumstances, protecting business owners isour main concern. It should be stressed that not only Chinese shop owners, but also Malay shop owners need to be protected, because regardless of one’s ethnicity, any mislabeling of goods made from pig or dog parts may result in prosecution.
Therefore, it is important that businesses not only label such goods, but to ensure that the labeling meets legal requirements.
The labeling of goods should meet the following requirements:
- Any goods made of materials derived from a pig or dog must be labeled.
- The label must clearly state “Diperbuat Daripada Babi” or “Diperbuat Daripada Anjing.”
- It is compulsory to use the National Language on the labels. The use of another language is optional, but the labels must contain the National Language.
- The height of the wording must be no less than 10mm (i.e. 1cm).
- The label must be affixed to the goods or displayed within close proximity of the goods.
- The label must be placed conspicuously.
DAP Kuching has prepared standard labels to help businesses meet the ministry’s requirements. Shop owners may call 082-335531 or my personal phone 016-8681239to request for these labels.
At the same time, I must highlight SUPP’s superficial showmanship. The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry temporarily ceased the operation four days after the operation began. SUPP claimed that it is they who persuaded the Prime Minister to halt the operation. In actuality, the affected businesses may still face prosecution, as the brushes previously seized have yet to be returned and may be produced as evidence in court.
It is a shame that SUPP is falsely claiming credit for cheap publicity. In reality, the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism is giving businesses one month to comply with labeling requirements. In other words, the operation will resume.
Instead of wasting time to claim credit, what is more important is to practically help affected businesses. This is exactly what I am doing—to give valid legal advice to businesses so that they will not face issues with the relevant ministry.
The Trade Descriptions (Goods Made from any Part of Pig or Dog) Order 2013 is an order made by the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism, and not a law passed by the Parliament. This order is carried out by the ministry.
SUPP has always claimed that only Sarawak regional parties can safeguard the interests of Sarawak. Dato’ Henry Sum Agong, Member of Parliament from Sarawak’s Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is the deputy minister of Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism. Why is he allowing his ministry’s officers to conduct raids in such a high-handed manner throughout Sarawak?