Imitation pendrives, memory cards worth over RM41,000 seized in KK shops

KOTA KINABALU: Enforcement officers have seized over 1,000 imitation pen drives and memory cards in an operation at several outlets here on Tuesday (July 26).

Teams from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) Sabah office were accompanied by representatives of the SanDisk brand during the operation.

The ministry’s state director Georgie Abas said they raided four outlets selling electronic goods following a public tip-off.

“After a check, we seized 1,479 units of thumb drives and memory cards which we suspected were fake,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 27).

He added the seized items were estimated to be worth over RM41,000.

He said the four shop operators will be investigated under the Trademarks Act 2019 for selling suspected fake items.

Georgie said each trader could face a maximum fine of RM10,000 for each item seized or imprisonment of not more than three years, or both, if convicted.

The company itself also faces a fine of RM15,000 for each item seized under the same Act.

“The ministry will continue to enforce the rules under the Trademarks Act 2019 in order to curb the selling of imitation items, as well as copyright infringement activities.

“Traders are reminded to always respect the intellectual property of others besides making the effort to check the authenticity of the goods they are getting all the time,” he said.

Georgie also urged consumers not to encourage the sale of fake goods by buying them, adding the quality and safety of such items were also questionable.