Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN)

When a trader overcharges you for cooking oil, sells a controlled item above its ceiling price, or refuses to honour a faulty product, the federal body whose job is to act on your behalf is KPDN — the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup). It develops domestic trade, keeps a lid on the prices of everyday essentials, and protects consumers, backed by real statutes, live complaint channels, and a small-claims tribunal built for ordinary shoppers.

What is KPDN and what is it for?

KPDN was established on 27 October 1990. Its stated objective is to promote a domestic trade that is “viable, competitive and sustainable,” especially in the distributive-trade sector, while protecting the interests and rights of consumers. In practice its work falls into two halves: formulating trade policy — including determining and monitoring the prices of essential goods and controlling the sale and distribution of essential goods, petroleum and petrochemical products — and consumerism, which covers consumer education, awareness, protection, and support for the consumer movement.

The ministry adopted its current name, adding the “Cost of Living” emphasis, in December 2022. Its headquarters is at No. 13, Persiaran Perdana, Precinct 2, Federal Government Administrative Centre, 62623 Putrajaya. The minister is Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who has led the ministry since 30 July 2023.

Which laws does KPDN use to keep prices in check?

KPDN and its agencies administer a body of trade and consumer legislation. The statutes an ordinary Malaysian is most likely to feel are these:

Act	What it does for you
Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 [Act 723]	Sets price ceilings, requires price display, and acts against unreasonably high profits
Control of Supplies Act 1961 [Act 122]	Controls the sale and distribution of scheduled essential goods
Consumer Protection Act 1999 [Act 599]	Protects consumers and establishes the claims tribunal
Trade Descriptions Act 2011 [Act 730]	Bans false or misleading trade descriptions
Competition Act 2010 [Act 712]	Prohibits cartels and abuse of market dominance
Weights and Measures Act 1972 [Act 71]	Ensures honest measurement in trade
Franchise Act 1998 [Act 590]	Registers and regulates franchises

Using Act 122 and Act 723, KPDN works to stabilise the prices of essentials such as rice, eggs, cooking oil and chicken. It runs enforcement operations including Ops Pantau and Ops Menu, and imposes festive Maximum Price Schemes (Skim Harga Maksimum Musim Perayaan) that cap the prices of selected controlled items during celebrations — as during the October 2025 Deepavali scheme. Under Section 10 of Act 723, the minister can require any seller of goods or services to display prices.

How do you actually use KPDN when you are cheated?

You do not need a lawyer to start. KPDN accepts consumer complaints through several channels:

• Call centre: 1-800-886-800
• WhatsApp: 019-848 8000
• e-Aduan portal: eaduan.kpdn.gov.my
• Email: e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my
• App: the Ez ADU KPDN smartphone application

For disputes over money — a defective product, a service not delivered, an unfair charge — there is the Tribunal for Consumer Claims (TTPM). Established on 15 November 1999 under Section 85, Part XII of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, it hears claims not exceeding RM50,000 at a fraction of the cost and formality of the courts.

Which agencies sit under KPDN?

Much of the ministry’s day-to-day regulation is carried out by statutory bodies under its umbrella:

• SSM — Companies Commission of Malaysia (company and business registration)
• MyIPO — Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (patents, trademarks, copyright)
• MyCC — Malaysia Competition Commission
• SKM — Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission
• MKM — Co-operative College of Malaysia
• PNS — Perbadanan Nasional Berhad
• Bank Rakyat — Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad

What’s next

If you have been overcharged or misled, gather your receipt and evidence and lodge a complaint through one of the channels above; for a monetary dispute up to RM50,000, prepare to file at the TTPM. For company or trademark matters, go straight to the relevant agency — SSM for businesses, MyIPO for intellectual property.