PUTRAJAYA: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will deploy its enforcement teams to investigate claims of chicken sellers imposing additional charges to cut up whole chickens at wet markets in Johor Bahru.

Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said they were aware of complaints involving sellers imposing a service charge to break down a bird at RM1.10 per kilogramme even though such matters were not part of the ministry's price control watch scheme.

"If the service charge is justified, we can accept but if it is over RM1 per kilogramme, then that is too high for consumers. If it is for a whole bird, that is acceptable.

"At the same time, we also want to ensure that the price of chicken is not higher than what we had set at RM8.90 per kilogramme.  

"We will monitor the situation to ensure no one takes advantage to profiteer. We urge consumers to make smart choices when it comes to such service charges," he said after launching the Malaysia Controlled Items and Subsidised Items Logo today.

Berita Harian had reported that although the price of chicken at the Kempas wet market was sold at the fixed price of RM8.90 as gazetted by the government, there was an accompanying sign bearing the RM1.10 kilogramme per bird meat cutting service charge.

This had caught consumers by surprise, with one buyer lamenting that sellers should inform buyers of such service charges and that signs should be visible.