If you don't, here's a brief explainer: a group of seven diners visited a floating restaurant on the island last week and they were charged an eye-watering RM1,196.80 for a 'siakap' (barramundi fish) weighing 7.48kg.

One of the diners uploaded a picture of the receipt on social media, and it became a big hoo-ha.

So big, in fact, the authorities have summoned the owner of the restaurant to explain herself.

Under investigation

Image credit: New Straits Times

The Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry has asked the owner of Restoran Terapung Sas Rimba to break down the restaurant's operating costs, New Straits Times reported.

Its state enforcement chief, Mohd Shahran Mohd Arshad, told the daily that the Ministry had, on Saturday (6 November), issued a notice on the request as stipulated under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

"The restaurant operator was given five days to provide the break down of her business operating cost which includes rental, workers' salary, utilities and so on," Mohd Shahran was quoted as saying.

In addition to that, the Ministry had asked the owner to also list down the cost of purchasing a 'siakap' fish.

"We also asked the operator to explain the cost of purchasing the 'siakap' (barramundi). And, if the fishes are reared there, how much cost would involve aside from the cost for other dishes and beverages sold at the restaurant," he was quoted as saying.

Image credit: New Straits Times

Mohd Shahran added that the owner of the restaurant is required to furnish receipts and relevant documents to the Ministry.

"Once the restaurant operator provides us with these things in her reply, we will carry out detailed analysis on each of the cost involved to ascertain whether there is any element of unreasonable price increase.

"The notice (however) does not mean that the restaurant operator has committed an offence. We are just requesting for details on the operating cost for analysis purposes," he was further quoted as saying.

Owner claims innocence

Norasyikin Musa, the owner of the restaurant, had earlier told New Straits Times in a seperate report that she had explained to the diners that the 'siakap' fish they had chosen was "not for sale as it was displayed as a show".

She claimed that she suggested a different kind of fish to the diners that weighs less and probably cost cheaper, and she claimed that had clearly displayed the price of the 'siakap' fish on the menu, which is RM16 for every 100g.

The diners also reportedly declined to take a look at the fish selected before it was cooked, Norasyikin added.

We don't know who's right or who's wrong in this case, but here's the moral of the story: always check your fish before you place your order.