​29 July 2024 

The Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) through the Department of Consumer Affairs together with the Weights and Measures Unit (SDT), Industry and Business Ecosystem Division under the Ministry of Finance and Economy conducted a joint operation on business premises in Kampong Mata-Mata, Gadong, Brunei and Muara district on Saturday, 27th July 2024.

The monthly joint operation by DEPS and Unit SDT is aimed at ensuring business compliance to the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 and its regulations as well as the Weights and Measures Act 1983 Chapter 151. 

During the joint operation, one business premise was found to infringe the Price Control Act, Chapter 142. Koperasi Kampong Perpindahan Mata-Mata (Kopertama Berhad) was issued with a compound of $500 for selling a number of brands of cooking oil above the maximum price set by the Price Controller. 

Unit SDT found a total of eleven (11) units of weights and measures machines used for business activity are valid, registered and verified in accordance to the Weights and Measures Act 1983 Chapter 151. Three (3) retail stores did not display net weight on packaged products such as vegetables, fruit, dry food and meats. SDT officers have shared the proper and correct practise on packing and weighing procedures to the management and packing workers. Warning Notices have been issued to the companies. 

DEPS and SDT would like to remind businesses to practise fair and ethical business conduct by complying with the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 and the Weights and Measures Act 1983 Chapter 151. 

Failure to comply with the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 can be subject to a compound not exceeding $1,000 and a maximum fine of $20,000 and 5-year imprisonment, for repeated offences. For offences under the Weights and Measures Act 1983 Chapter 151 can be faced with a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for 3 months or both, and the said weights and measures tool/equipment can be confiscated.

Any inquiries related to price control and weights and measures can be reported to the following official channels: 

• Price Control Act, Chapter 142 : Department of Consumer Affairs, DEPS through Talian Darussalam 123, PenggunaBijak app and email consumercomplaint@jpes.gov.bn; and 
• Weights and Measures Act 1983 Chapter 151 : SDT, Industry and Business Ecosystem Division through email sdt@mofe.gov.bn. 

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Prepared by: Department of Economic Planning and Statistics Ministry of Finance and Economy 

Email: dca@jpes.gov.bn 

Reference : (24) JPES/CAD/AKTA/Pt.12 

Date : 23 Muharram 1446 / 29 July 2024