Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Really, scratch and don't win
2008/12/28
Really, scratch and don't win
SCRATCH-AND-WIN contests are alive and thriving although a ban was announced by the government more than a year ago.
However, it would appear that this ban was only administrative.
International Association for Consumer Law deputy pre-sident Datuk Dr Sothi Rachagan said for the ban to take effect, it had to be gazetted.
"There must be a legal process involved. A mere declaration by the minister does not bring it into effect," said Sothi, who co-drafted the Consumer Protection Act with Professor P. Balan.
The National Consumer Complaints Centre records an average of five complaints a day. As of last month, there have been 1,690 complaints lodged with the centre, resulting in losses of more than RM8 million. Last year there were 1,933 complaints lodged and in 2006, there were 1,499.
As of Dec 15, the Consumer Claims Tribunal had heard 1,205 cases. Last year, it heard 1,669 cases and in 2006, 1,464.
Although the ban is only administrative, the ministry said that the Direct Sales Act 1993 covered unethical practices and allowed its controller to revoke the licences of companies running scratch-and-win scams.
"The announcement of the ban gave muscle to the whole issue, which was on the rise," said ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom. "It does not help that consumers still keep falling for it."
Zain said the ministry was working with the Companies Commission to curb the problem. "We are talking about how we can go after the directors of these companies and if they abscond, to go after the company secretary. We will also bring in Bank Negara for further discussions."
Sothi said scratch-and-win contests involved cheating and were offences under the Penal Code, and also under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, which states that no person shall offer any gift or free item without an intention of providing it.
Depending on the exact form used, they could also be illegal under the Lotteries Act 1952, which states that any lottery promoted without a Finance Ministry permit was unlawful.
"The fact participants have to scratch to win something makes it a lottery."
On whether a scratch-and-win victim has any recourse at the Consumers Complaint Tribunal, Sothi said yes.
"You cannot bring a criminal matter for consideration to the tribunal, but you can bring a civil action to get your money back."
Bar Council vice-president Ragunath Kesavan said that there should be more inter-agency cooperation to curb this problem.
"This is outright cheating. Even if the licences of the companies had not been revoked, it is still an offence under the Penal Code.
"It is an offence by itself as it involves cheating and gambling. For it to become illegal only if it is gazetted is not an issue because it is illegal by the nature of its act."
The National Consumer Complaints Centre's complaints manager, B. Yesotha, said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry should act more firmly on complaints referred to them.
She said complainants were directed to the ministry's enforcement unit but the unit had told them to file a case at the Consumer Claims Tribunal.
"What is the tribunal's role in this? It's already a criminal matter. Those running these companies should be in jail."
Yesotha said some of the complaints received were regarding companies whose licences had been revoked and whose names were published on the ministry's website.
She said Bank Negara, too, needed to handle complaints better.
One victim of a company, whose licence had been revoked, filed a complaint with Bank Negara only to be told that she needed to file a written complaint and it would "take 14 days to process the complaint".
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Bus operators keen to push up fares because of higher operating costs
Saturday December 27, 2008
Bus operators keen to push up fares because of higher operating costs
Stories by ELAINE ANG
IF the express bus companies get their way, passengers will soon have to pay significantly more for their tickets. Complaining of rising costs, the industry is pushing hard for a fare hike.
Konsortium Transnasional Bhd (KTB), the country’s biggest express bus operator, is calling for a 60% hike in ticket prices, while the Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) wants the fares, including those for stage buses, to be doubled.
The fare is currently calculated based on a ceiling price of 6.5 sen per km for economy express buses and 15 sen per km for luxury/executive coaches.
KTB chairman and managing director Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh stresses that the hike is necessary to ensure the survival of the players. The last fare review was more than three years ago, allowing an 18% increase for economy express buses.
Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali He says that review in May 2005 has helped ease the burden of increasing costs in the five years after the previous fare increase in 2000, but much has changed since 2005. The soaring fuel prices has been a huge factor.
Motorists are naturally happy that pump prices have been cut seven times since the whopping hike in June, but it is a different story for bus companies. The subsidised diesel price has remained stagnant at RM1.43 per litre.
“Although oil prices have come down, we are not feeling it. We are still paying the same price for subsidised diesel and the price increases by suppliers have not incorporated the full extent of the costs they have had to bear so far,” he tells StarBizWeek.
According to Nadzmi, subsidised diesel has increased 120% from 65 sen per litre on Jan 1, 2005, to RM1.43. Other costs, such as tyres, spare parts and services, have been going up as well.
He adds: “There is also an insufficient quota of subsidised diesel provided to us, with the quota only fulfilling about 70% to 80% of our requirement most of the time.”
For KTB, the increase in the price of subsidised diesel costs the company an additional RM35mil per annum compared with 2005.
“We don’t even make that much profit in a year. Subsidised diesel is only one cost factor that is killing us in terms of profitability – our total operating costs are now higher than our revenue collected. The costs are eating into the bones already,” says Nadzmi.
“The more we operate our buses, the higher our costs. Even if we do not operate so many buses we will still have to bear the fixed costs. So we are in a dicey situation. We are profit-making organisations. So is it fair for us to absorb all these costs?”
The Government has agreed to a 30% surcharge for economy bus fares for the Hari Raya period until Oct 15. It has been reported that the surcharge has since been extended until a new fare structure is announced.
Nadzmi says the surcharge has helped KTB reduce losses and improve cash flow.
Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar was recently quoted as saying that despite the drop in fuel prices, an increase in express and stage bus fares next year was unavoidable due to escalating costs.
This, however, have failed to appease the bus operators. Nadzmi asks: “But when next year?”
“A quick decision from the Government is very important as the situation may change after a long delayed decision and it may not be an appropriate solution any more.”
He suggests that the Government have annual fare reviews instead of sudden, big increases, which will burden consumers and result in a contraction of demand. “We want stability in our business environment and that includes price stability,” he says.
Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh He also proposes a monthly ceiling of 9,000 litres diesel per bus. “We are suggesting that the Government look at the whole year to identify the peak months and create a ceiling based on that,” he says.
PMBOA president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali says that if the Government does not agree with a 100% fare increase in view of the present economic situation, an alternative is that it converts the 30% surcharge for the Raya season into a fare increase from Jan 1, 2009.
The association is also asking the Government to reduce the subsidised diesel price for bus operators to RM1 per litre. The association represents 111 bus companies with more than 3,200 express and stage buses and over 9,000 employees.
Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah says a fare increase will definitely affect consumers as it will increase the cost of doing business and travelling.
“However, this is unavoidable because the Government has no idea how else to fund public transport other than by increasing the fare. We believe it is justified because of the increase in operational costs, such as batteries, tyres, wages and other spare parts,” he says.
Muhammad Sha’ani adds that many cities in developed countries provides public funding for public transport, so that it is accessible to all.
“It is not commercially possible to do this only from funds collected from bus fares. It is important that the Government understands the social cost if the current model of public transport funding is not reviewed fast,” he warns.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Fuel price plan on Monday - either set floor level or float
Tuesday November 25, 2008
Fuel price plan on Monday - either set floor level or float
By IZATUN SHARI
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will decide next Monday whether to implement a floor price plan for a litre of petrol and diesel or stick to the petrol and diesel price flotation mechanism based on market rates.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the Economic Council would discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
“On Dec 1, we will discuss whether we want to use the floor price mechanism or continue with the managed floatation mechanism.
“If we were to set a floor price for petrol, we have to decide the level,” he said after opening the fifth heads of Asean Intellectual Property Offices Conference here yesterday.
“We will discuss what is a reasonable level so that there will be the opportunity for the Government to make some revenue (from the sale of petrol) to be channelled to the consolidated fund,” he said when asked to elaborate on the proposal for a floor price plan.
The Government now gets some revenue due to the difference in the ex-refinery price and the price oil companies sell petrol to station operators.
Shahrir said Fomca had proposed that the petrol floor price be set at RM3 per litre to encourage the prudent use of petrol, promote the use of public transport and push for development in alternative energy.
Asked about the progress on the proposed Fair Trade Practice Act, Shahrir said it was expected to be tabled in Parliament in June.
Ensure safety of motorcyclists
Thursday December 25, 2008
Ensure safety of motorcyclists
THE Department of Road Safety (DRS) has legislated new regulations for the mandatory use of safety belts for rear seat car passengers.
There is no doubt that this will save lives during mishaps but why is the department not equally aggressive in pursuing other measures and safety compliance standards to reduce mishaps.
Statistics prove that the bulk of the road fatalities, no less than 70%, involve motorcyclists. The Public Works Department acknowledges this and has proposed dedicated motorcycle lanes as a solution.
Motorcyclists are not allowed on the Federal Highway, as there is a motorcycle lane. Of late, many parties are encroaching on the motorcycle lane, forcing the motorcyclists onto the Federal Highway.
Why is the department not advising the relevant authorities, through the Transport Ministry, to remind contractors doing maintenance and construction work involving motorcycle lanes to ensure the safety of this highly vulnerable group.
Even if there is a need to divert the motorcyclists onto the highway, a designated temporary lane must be provided to ensure safety as well to prevent motorcyclists from freely weaving onto the full length of the highway.
Also, all the underpasses for the motorcycle lane must be properly maintained to prevent flooding during a downpour.
Small improvements in reducing fatalities of motorcyclists will save more lives and should be made the first priority.
This can be achieved through proper coordination and cooperation between agencies without high manpower deployment or cost.
MUHAMMAD SHA’ANI ABDULLAH,
Secretary-General,
Fomca.
Merry Christmas
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sin Chew: 投訴中心年度報告‧屋業投訴仍居榜首
消費人投訴中心年度報告‧屋業投訴仍居榜首
（吉隆坡）2007年全國消費人投訴中心（NCCC）報告指出，屋業發展商仍是最多消費者投訴的領域。
此中心去年共接獲2076宗有關屋業發展商的投訴，比2006年的1578宗增長29.6%，而投訴的內容包括房子內部手工品質低劣、遲交屋、發展計劃廢置及訂金問題。
此中心首席執行員莫哈末沙尼週三（12月17日）出席2007年全國消費人投訴中心報告推介禮後，發表談話。
莫哈末沙尼表示，政府或應實行先建後售的概念，購屋者只需先繳付10%屋價，因為現有的房屋發展制度導致有心人濫權，造成遲交屋、發展計劃廢置等問題。
直銷領域投訴第二多
接獲第二多投訴的是直銷領域，包括刮刮樂活動，因此，此中心建議當局把刮刮樂列為非法活動，並禁止以直銷方式售賣超過500令吉價值的商品。
私立高等教育中心及大專學院是第3多消費者投訴的領域；許多學生投訴院方在他們不知情的情況下向高等教育基金借貸，導致學生被高教基金追討欠款的問題。
全國消費人投訴中心將被投訴的商品及服務依性質分為23個領域，其他被消費者投訴的領域包括管理公司、電訊業、大減價、公共交通、金融機構、霸級市場、女傭中心、健身中心、食品等。
培養“視投訴為禮物”文化
政府首席秘書丹斯里莫哈末西迪表示，政府部門及相關機構應該培養“視投訴為禮物”的文化，因為所有的投訴都是協助當局改善與進步的機會。
他指出，美國有一些酒店會給做出投訴的顧客獎賞，因為他們認為，酒店單靠本身的員工是無法瞭解及察覺每一間客房是否有問題，但若顧客發現問題並投訴告知，等於是幫忙酒店進行監督工作。
“但在大馬，很多人被投訴就會生氣，這是不對的；我們確實沒有足夠的人手，有公眾幫我們指出問題，這就是一份禮物。”
平均每天接70宗投訴
大馬消費人聯合會主席拿督馬里慕都表示，2007年全國消費人投訴中心共接獲2萬4873宗投訴，即平均每天接獲70宗投訴，比2006年總數1萬8345宗投訴多，或增長36%。
他表示，全國消費人投訴中心把所有投訴做成報告發表，目的不是要指責任何人，而是希望借此讓各領域改善及提昇商品及服務素質。
Labels: FOMCA, KSN, Marimuthu, NCCC, Sha'ani
Developers top consumer complaints list
Thursday December 18, 2008
Developers top consumer complaints list
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) received 24,873 complaints last year, a 33% increase over 2006.
Topping the list were housing developers, direct sales, private higher education, management corporations and telecommunications, in that order.
This was revealed in the NCCC annual report 2007, which Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan launched yesterday.
Fomca secretary-general and NCC chief executive Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said consumer complaints against housing developers included grouses on poor workmanship, late delivery, abandoned housing projects, booking fees and misleading advertisements.
In his speech, Sidek said the increase in the number of complaints with NCCC showed that more consumers were now aware of their rights.
NCCC, which was corporatised as a non-profit organisation on Sept 17, aims to provide consumers an avenue to voice their grouses on goods or traders.
On Pemudah, the special task force to facilitate business, Sidek said it had managed to improve competitiveness and ensure 97% of payments from the Government was paid out within 14 days.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
首席秘書：旨在改進政府部門 人民投訴非製造麻煩
更新: December 17, 2008 23:17
他舉例，擁有千間房間的外國大型酒店，當房間設施或服務缺完善時，也是通過住客“免費”的投訴，提高服務。
“反觀我國情況，業者卻責罵投訴者；實際上，我國必須塑造投訴文化，以改善各領域服務素質。”
莫哈末西迪今午為國家消費人投訴中心2007年常年報告，主持推介禮后，在記者會這么說。
他欣慰公共投訴局總監及官員，積極處理公眾投訴，即使身在外國，也盡力通過電郵回覆及解答投訴者問題。
莫哈末西迪也說，他經常接獲素未謀面的投訴者達山星的投訴，即使在半夜也接到對方投訴Astro服務。
提及部分政府部門官員對消費人投訴敷衍了事，或轉接到其他投部門后失去下文時，他已指示總監關注這類問題，並加以改善。
“有些消費者的投訴對象，並非政府部門或機構，反而是其他私人領域或霸級市場。”
屋產被擱置最令人不滿
買賣房屋依然是最多消費人投訴的消費領域，而屋產被擱置是最令消費人不滿的問題。
國家消費人投訴中心（NCCC）2007年常年報告顯示，2007年共獲2萬4873起投訴，比2006年的1萬8345起增加36%；該中心去年共解決82%的投訴。
報告說，23項投訴領域中，投訴房屋發展商居冠，去年共有2076項投訴，相比2006年的1578項，增加29.6%。
國家消費人投訴中心總執行長莫哈末賽尼在記者會說，23項投訴領域的投訴案例，有增無減，這反映消費者對本身權益，及要求高素質服務意識提高，並通過合適管道提出投訴。
“當消費者投訴政府機構時，中心會勸導消費者向公共投訴局投訴，盡快解決問題。”
大馬消費人協會聯合會主席拿督馬里慕都說，消費人投訴範圍是房子被擱置、延遲交屋、房業計劃被遺棄或訂金被沒收。
巫裔最踴躍投訴
巫裔消費者是最踴躍投訴的族群，去年共有1萬6612名人士投訴或67%，其次是華裔及印裔消費者。
據國家消費人投訴中心2007年常年報告，華裔投訴者有5686人或23%、印裔2354人或9%、其他172人或0.7%，及旅客49人或0.2%。
通過電話方式投訴的消費者有8783人、電郵4511人、信函3901人、新自到中心投訴3501人、網站有3648人及傳真有529人。
| 2007年消費人投訴領域及數據 | |
|---|---|
| 投訴領域 | 案件 |
| 房屋發展商 | 2076 |
| 直銷 | 1933 |
| 私立高等學府 | 1856 |
| 房地產管理公司 | 1739 |
| 電訊公司 | 1721 |
| 產品瑕疵 | 1519 |
| 大減價 | 1410 |
| 公共交通 | 1254 |
| 金融機構 | 1044 |
| 霸級市場 | 975 |
| 分期付款購物 | 946 |
| 誤導性廣告 | 917 |
| 分時度假設施 | 892 |
| 女傭中心 | 805 |
| 電力供應 | 793 |
| 健身俱樂部 | 771 |
| 典當業 | 686 |
| 保險 | 686 |
| 法律服務 | 646 |
| 食品 | 664 |
| 旅行社 | 587 |
| 水供服務 | 546 |
| 衛星電視 | 407 |
| 總數 | 2萬4873 |
Regard Complaints As Gifts, Says Sidek
December 17, 2008 23:19 PM
Regard Complaints As Gifts, Says Sidek
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- All parties, especially civil servants should regard complaints as gifts that can help them improve delivery, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.
He said in advanced countries, various quarters like five-star hotels take delight in receiving complaints and in fact give incentives for people to make complaints because this helps them to give the finest service possible.
"Complaints means there is room for improvement, otherwise we will be lulled into thinking we are doing very well," he told reporters after launching the National Consumer Complaints Centre's annual report for last year, here Wednesday.
He said getting civil servants to have such a mindset was big challenge but needed to be pursued in the interest of the people.
The centre's chief executive officer, Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, who tabled the report, said among the issues raised related to housing developers were poor quality of work, delayed delivery, abandoned project and being bad paymasters.
-- BERNAMA
More complaints than ever before
Published: Wednesday December 17, 2008 MYT 8:39:00 PM
More complaints than ever before
By FLORENCE A. SAMY
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Consumers Complaints Centre (NCCC) has received 24,873 complaints last year, a 33% increase compared with 2006.
The top five complaints were against housing developers, direct sales, private higher education, management corporations and telecommunications firms, according to the NCCC annual report 2007 which was launched on Wednesday by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.
Fomca secretary-general and NCC chief executive Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said consumers’ complaints against housing developers included poor workmanship, late delivery, abandoned housing projects, booking fees and misleading advertisements.
“The number of complaints against housing developers increased from 1,578 in 2006 to 2,076 last year, which is a 29.6% increase. Poor workmanship is a big problem for housebuyers,” he said at the launching of the NCCC report.
Other complaints include cheap sales, public transport, maid agencies and satellite television.
The report, which suggested recommendations, listed 23 complaint categories, all of which had at least 300 complaints.
Fomca president Datuk N. Marimuthu said their aim was not to attack anyone but to work together with the industry to foster better industrial harmony.
Sidek in his speech said the increase in the number of complaints with NCCC showed that the number of consumers had increased and that they were more aware of their rights.
“Consumers equipped with knowledge and awareness, can better protect themselves against irresponsible traders,” he said.
He said each complaint should be treated as “a gift and not as a burden.”
“Each complaint is an opportunity to improve. Government departments and all of us must be oblivious to who complaints but attend to their complaints immediately,” he said.
NCCC, which was corporatised as a non-profit organisation on Sept 17, aims to provide consumers an avenue to voice their grouses on goods or traders.
Selenggara laluan motosikal elak nyawa melayang
17/12/2008
Selenggara laluan motosikal elak nyawa melayang
PENGGUBALAN peraturan baru oleh Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (JKJR) yang mewajibkan pemakaian tali pinggang keledar penumpang kerusi belakang kereta sememangnya ada asasnya untuk melindungi penumpang semasa kemalangan.
Akan tetapi kenapakah pihak JKJR tidak agresif menggalak dan melaksanakan langkah-langkah yang dapat mengelakkan kejadian malang sekali gus mengurangkan kecederaan dan maut di kalangan penunggang motosikal?
Cara itu juga akan mengelakkan beban kos serta kesulitan golongan masyarakat yang tidak berkemampuan.
Kenyataan pihak JKJR bahawa peraturan itu tidak akan dikuatkuasakan ke atas penumpang keempat kerusi belakang juga menunjukkan ia masih tidak sesuai dilaksanakan sepenuhnya atas pertimbangan sosioekonomi.
Perangkaan menunjukkan lebih 70 peratus mangsa kemalangan jalan raya adalah penunggang dan pembonceng motosikal.
Kementerian Kerja Raya mengakui fakta itu dan telah mengesyorkan laluan-laluan motosikal di jalan-jalan utama yang menjadi tumpuan penunggang motosikal diperbaiki sebagai langkah mengurangkan kecederaan parah dan maut.
Lebuh raya Persekutuan dilarang sama sekali digunakan oleh penunggang motosikal kerana terdapat laluan motosikal.
Bagaimanapun akhir-akhir ini banyak pihak menceroboh melakukan kerja-kerja pembangunan dan penyelenggaraan yang memaksa penunggang motosikal menggunakan laluan lebuh raya.
Dalam keadaan ini, ramai penunggang motosikal memasuki laluan lebuh raya sehingga mengganggu kelancaran lalu lintas serta mendedahkan mereka kepada risiko kemalangan.
Pengamatan mendapati rata-rata pihak berkuasa bertanggungjawab dengan kerja-kerja pembangunan ataupun penyelenggaraan yang melibatkan laluan motosikal
Walaupun banyak kempen dan saranan menggalakkan budaya keselamatan tetapi amalan dan perlaksanaan kerja pihak berkuasa tidak mempamerkan pematuhan asas keselamatan kepada pengguna umum.
Piawaian keselamatan sejagat dapat dicapai melalui kerjasama dan penyelarasan bersungguh- sungguh antara agensi yang menerapkan keperluan piawaian keselamatan semasa menawarkan kontrak-kontrak melibatkan laluan-laluan dan kemudahan awam.
Di samping itu, laluan terowong motosikal mestilah sentiasa diselenggarakan dengan baik supaya tidak dilanda banjir semasa hujan.
Penambahbaikan dan pengurusan berterusan laluan-laluan motosikal dapat menyelamatkan lebih ramai orang awam daripada kemalangan
MUHAMMAD SHA'ANI ABDULLAH
Setiausaha Agung FOMCA
Housing woes top consumer complaints list
Housing woes top consumer complaints list
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz | Dec 17, 08 6:41pm
Housing developers topped the list of consumer complaints last year, making up 2,076 (8.3 percent) of the total 24,873 complaints lodged with the National Complaints Center (NCCC) in 2007.
MCPX
Among the issues that most often cropped up were poor workmanship, late delivery, abandoned housing projects and the issue of booking fees.
perpaduan heights abandoned housing project kuala pilah 291008Presenting these figures today, NCCC director Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah said the centre and the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) had since 2004 called on the government to implement the ‘build-and-sell’ concept which would solve the above problems.
He said the implementation of the '10-90' concept (where the house buyer pays a 10 percent down-payment and the rest only upon completion of the house), and other improvements to the house-purchasing system could have saved thousands of consumers millions of ringgit and frustration.
“We are actually promoting abuse... The system promotes abuse,” he told a press conference today after presenting the report at the National Institute of Public Administration in Kuala Lumpur.
Sha’ani said complaints against direct selling agents took second place (1,933 - 7.7 percent), including claims that it is mostly ‘vulnerable’ (elderly, low-income, less educated) consumers who are targeted, that there is often a lack of information pertaining to the products sold and the lack of ‘exit’ provisions after the sale.
Complaints against private colleges
Coming in at a close third (1,856-7.4 percent) were complaints filed against institutions of private education, he added.
Instances of such complaints include those filed against colleges who apply to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation 'on behalf' of their students without their knowledge, unaccredited programmes, misleading advertisements and promotions and inadequate facilities and premises.
Sha'ani also revealed that of those who lodged the complaints with NCCC - by telephone, e-mails, letters, 'walk-ins' and through NCCC’s website - 67 percent (16,612) were Malays, 23 percent (5,686) were Chinese, and nine percent (2,354) were Indians. The remaining 0.9 percent were either locals of other ethnic groups or foreigners.
Sha'ani said 82.1 percent (20,477) of complaints were handled by NCCC, while the rest were channeled to the Tribunal for Consumer Claims, the Financial Mediation Bureau and other public sector bodies.
mohamad sidek hassan chief secretary of governmentOfficiating the launch of the NCCC report was chief secretary to the government Mohd Sidek Hassan, who revealed that the complaints lodged with NCCC signified a 36 percent jump from the previous year.
“I believe that the increase is a result of the higher number of consumers in the country as well as an increased awareness (of their rights). Another factor is the probability that NCCC is more well-known among consumers,” he said.
Sidek also called for groups to hold more awareness programmes to disseminate information on consumer rights, especially among schoolchildren, youth and women in the rural areas.
He also urged civil servants to accept complaints positively as a chance to improve.
“A complaint is a gift, and must be dealt with it. We must be oblivious to who is the complainant, and deal with the complaint immediately,” he said.
Consumers need to be more informed
Fomca president N Marimuthu said NCCC had succeeded in settling 82 percent of the problems brought to it in 2007, an improvement of eight percent from 2006.
n marimuthu 260804While agreeing that consumers need to be more informed and assertive of their rights, Marimuthu said businesses and traders also need to be told of the limits to the ‘disclaimer’ clause that they so often resort to - such as stipulating goods and deposits that are ‘non-returnable’ and parking lots with warnings that car owners park at their own risk.
He pointed out that the Housing Developers Act 1966 stipulates that not more than one percent of a house’s total price can be taken by property agents should a sale and purchase agreement fail to pull through.
Most property agents currently impose between two percent to five percent of a house price on house buyers.
These statements are not meant to offend or slight any parties but to “inform you all where the groups should improve and what the rakyat wants,” said Marimuthu.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
消協促旅遊展管理層 取消3令吉入門票
更新: December 6, 2008 22:25 消協促旅遊展管理層 取消3令吉入門票
他們認為，本月5日至7日在吉隆坡世界貿易中心舉行的馬來西亞國際旅遊展，收取3令吉入門票，並不合理。
大馬商業道德機構主席再納阿比丁說，這是項促銷旅遊配套的展覽，參觀者會在展覽上消費，不是提供資訊令參觀者受惠的活動。
他舉例，早前舉行的PIKOM電腦嘉年華，並沒有收費入場，而且參展商還提供各種紀念品，贈送給參觀者。
他今日在大馬消費人聯合會召開“不公平的馬來西亞國際旅遊展”記者會，這么指出。
在場者包括大馬消費人聯合會總秘書莫哈末沙尼、執行主任莫哈末尤索夫及全國消費人投訴中心執行人員耶索達。
再納阿比丁說，他已針對有關要求，聯絡馬來西亞國際旅遊展負責人，但對方則表明不會有任何更動，因為一切已準備就緒。
另外，耶索達指出，去年，該中心共接獲1107宗投訴旅行社的投訴，單在今年首7個月也接獲600宗投訴。
他們在會上列出5間面對重複投訴的旅行社，包括轟動一時的Excellence Holiday。
欲投訴或查詢被投訴旅行社名單者，可瀏覽www.fomca.org.my或www.nccc.org.my。Government makes RM16mil a day from fuel windfall
Saturday December 6, 2008
Government makes RM16mil a day from fuel windfall
By IZWAN IDRIS and LESTER KONG
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is set to get windfall gains of up to RM16mil per day based on yesterday’s crude oil price of US$44 (RM158.40) per barrel and a consumption estimate of 27.5 million litres per day .
This windfall comes about because the pump prices of fuel have not been reduced enough to reflect the lower crude prices, oil analysts said.
This has prompted the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) to request the Government to reveal how it plans to spend the windfall revenue.
Its secretary-general Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah urged the Government to invest the money in public transportation for the benefit of everyone.
The crude oil price in New York fell to a four-year low at below US$44 per barrel yesterday, dragged down by demand worries amid the worsening outlook of the global economy.
At this level, the market price for RON 97 grade petrol should be about RM1.30 per litre, which is 60 sen lower than the RM1.90 per litre Malaysians are currently paying, the analysts said.
Based on a consumption estimate of 27.5 million litres per day, this translates to roughly around RM16.5mil in extra revenue a day for the Government.
It is believed that revenue collected by the Government from RON 97 sales at local pumps ranged from a low of RM100,000 to as high as RM20mil a day since mid-October.
This takes into account international oil price movements, as well as the four price cuts at local pumps over the period. Crude oil prices had slumped 19% this week alone, and was more than US$100 (RM360) down from at its July peak of US$147 (RM529.20) per barrel.
In all, total revenue for the Government from the sale of RON 97 over the past two months would probably be around RM500mil, the analysts, who declined to be named, said. This, however, excludes duty paid by pump operators for sales of RON 92 and diesel.
RON 97 is the most popular petrol grade among Malaysian drivers, accounting for about 80% of total fuel sales at local pumps.
But while the Government gets extra revenue from fuel sales, as opposed to having to subsidise before, falling crude oil prices also means less profits for Petronas, the national oil corporation.
Income from Petronas, in terms of petroleum tax and dividends, accounted for about 40% of the latest national budget. Latest results showed Petronas made a net profit of RM42.7bil in its fiscal first half ended Sept 30.
This was 46% higher compared to same period last year. It would be tough to match that level of profitability during the current six-month period ending March 31, 2009.
Sha’ani said while Fomca and consumers were agreeable that petrol sales results in more revenue for the Government, they should be told how their money is spent.
He said the profits from petrol must be channelled in such ways to further reduce the burden of consumers and help them cope with the cost of living especially in the current financial downturn.
He added that the fuel pump price should not be lowered further as it would only encourage more private vehicles on the roads and fewer people would take public transportation.
He said the Government must make it a priority to greatly improve public transportation and educate the public to use it as their main mode of transportation.
“People need time to change their transportation arrangements,” he said.
On Nov 25, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad was asked if the situation now was akin to consumers subsiding the Government.
He replied: ‘’The Government collects taxes. It is government revenue. When the price is high, the Government gives subsidy.’’
On Wednesday, he said, consumers would know next week if the Government will implement a floor price mechanism for petrol and diesel.
He said consumers should also brace for the decision of having a managed flotation mechanism for oil prices based on market rates.
Shahrir said many aspects had to be looked into before finalising the issue, including generating revenue for the Government and providing stronger purchasing power to consumers.
