Moviegoers often complain about the absurdly overpriced snacks and drinks sold at the cinema and it turns out that they might be right. A popular cinema operator was recently found guilty of profiteering by the Ayer Keroh Session Court.
According to Utusan, the Golden Screen Cinema Sdn. Bhd. (GSC) was slapped with a fine of RM45,000 for overcharging its customers in the sale of bottled mineral waters and potato chips.
The Melaka Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Director, Norena Jaafar said GSC has increased their prices for their Spritzer mineral waters (600 ml) and Mister Potato potato chips (75 gm) and are charging RM3.30 for the mineral waters and RM5.00 for the potato chips.
“The mineral water was sold at RM3.30 with a profit increment of 0.97%, while the potato chips were sold at RM5.00 with a profit increment of 1.23%,” she said, adding that mineral waters are normally cost not more than RM2.40 and the snacks would cost about RM3.40.
She added that GSC was fined after the court examined the testimony of 3 prosecution witnesses and 4 defence witnesses as well as the submissions from both the prosecuting and defence counsel.
“Session Court Judge Nariman Badruddin has ruled that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case,” said Norena.
According to the charge, GSC was charged with committing the offense at Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, Melaka.
GSC had asked for a lenient sentence on the ground that it was a first-time offence and said the company only increase the price for both items for a slightly higher profit margin.
Thus, the judge imposed a fine of RM45,000 for the sentence.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Syazwani Zawawi, Keh Shu Min and was assisted by Prosecuting Officer Sallim Wahid, while the GCS was represented by lawyers Joshua Teoh Beni Chris and Desmond Liew Zhi Hong.
At the time of writing, GSC has not made any official statement but the company did leave a now-deleted comment on China Press’s Facebook post about the issue saying, “Did you know that every movie ticket is charged with 30% entertainment tax?”
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts!
