The term honest living did not apply to these durian traders who rigged their weighing scales so that they could scalp customers by making them pay more than what they actually were getting.

12 durian sellers in Perak were apprehended when Consumer and Trade officers raided these shops and confiscated the scales after a tip-off. Unfortunately the compound issued were only RM100, a small fee for such a serious crime of scamming of innocent customers. Malaysians love durian and after the lifting of the lockdown, pent up demand for the thorny fruit is seeing flocks of people crowding these shops along the streets. Even during MCO, these vendors became innovative and offered home delivery for those who just could not live without the fruits. But to see some unscrupulous traders manipulating the scales to earn an extra buck is despicable , especially during these trying times.

Although the commodity is not price controlled, the authorities wish traders to comply with regulations and display prices correctly. The incident which took place in Perak is a reminder of how certain vendors tend to manipulate for profits, the public is advised to be cautious and report if they come across any suspicious price disparity when shopping.