January 30, 2009 14:31 PM

Get-Rich-Quick Schemes Tarnishing Civil Service Image

By Sajad Hussein

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- The "get-rich-quick" schemes are causing a negative impact on the civil service as more than 50,000 government employees are believed to be actively involved in promoting the dubious deal.

What was most worrying was that many senior officers and heads of departments were encouraging their subordinates to participate in such schemes which promised quick and multiple returns for a small investment.

Cuepacs secretary-general Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin told Bernama today that the congress was very concerned with the development as it eroded the people's confidence in the service.

He said that the problem was so serious that the Public Services Department (PSD) issued a special circular banning civil servants from joining such schemes.

The Circular 2/2009, signed by PSD Director-General Tan Sri Ismail Adam, and took effect on Jan 13, bans all categories of civil servants from promoting, participating or investing in such schemes.

The circular, which also covered those in the statutory bodies, local authorities and state government authorities, also instructed those involved in such schemes to cease the activities immediately or face disciplinary action.

It said that the participation by a large number of civil servants in such schemes could mislead the public into thinking that the schemes were approved by the government.

The circular described get-rich-quick schemes as a marketing method which promised high returns with small investment while the organisations that promoted such a scheme were not registered with any of the licensing authorities.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) fully supported the government's move to ban civil servants from the activities.

Its secretary-general, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah, said the schemes were not only promoted by Malaysians but also foreigners through the internet.

The schemes were usually based on the multi-level marketing model where early entrants gained more than those who joined later.

Muhammad Shaani described the schemes as a "victimisation of the majority by the minority early birds."

He said the scheme thrived on greed and eroded the true business value of honesty and fair play.

Ahmad Shah said that although the government had given permission to some civil servants to engage in business on a part time basis, it did not mean that they should get involved in dubious activities.

-- BERNAMA

NST Online » Local News
2009/01/30
Be wary of debit cards, warns Fomca


KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) has cautioned the public on the use of debit cards as users risked losing all their savings if they fell into the wrong hands.
Secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah reasoned that this was because the debit card was linked to the holder's current or savings accounts, and any purchase made on the card was directly deducted from the balance in that account.

He said this meant the debit card was used at the holder's risk, and the bank was not liable for any loss due to misuse -- unlike credit cards where the banks had certain liabilities and in that sense, the holder was protected.

"If credit cards were misused, holders could dispute the amount and claim refund from the bank," said Muhammad, who is also National Consumer Complaints Centre chief executive.

He said that since last year, local banks were aggressively promoting the debit card and consumers must be wary and careful in owning one.
Bernama understands that Maybank had already issued about a million debit cards.

Meanwhile, banking sources explained that the debit card functioned similar to a credit card and it was a better product in that it was a win-win proposition for both the card holders and the bank.

While appreciating Fomca's concern, the sources explained that the risk for debit card holders was minimal when used locally as the usage was based on signature and the cards had security chips embedded in them.

However, the sources conceded there might be some risk if cards were used overseas at outlets or merchants which did not have chip readers as security features could be compromised. -- Bernama

Published: Friday January 30, 2009 MYT 2:04:00 PM
Updated: Friday January 30, 2009 MYT 4:24:46 PM
50,000 civil servants involved in get-rich-quick schemes

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 50,000 government employees are believed to be actively involved in promoting dubious “get-rich-quick” schemes.

Worse, many senior officers and heads of department were encouraging their subordinates to participate in such schemes, which promised quick and multiple returns for a small investment, said Cuepacs secretary-general Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin.

He said that Cuepacs was very concerned with the development as it eroded the people’s confidence in the civil service.

He said that the problem was so serious that the Public Services Department (PSD) had issued a special circular banning civil servants from joining such schemes.

Circular 2/2009, signed by PSD director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam, took effect on Jan 13 and bans all categories of civil servants from promoting, participating or investing in such schemes.

The circular, which also covered those in statutory bodies, local authorities and state government authorities, also instructed those involved in such schemes to cease their activities immediately or face disciplinary action.

It said that the participation by a large number of civil servants in such schemes could mislead the public into thinking that the schemes were approved by the Government.

The circular described get-rich-quick schemes as a marketing method which promised high returns with a small investment while the organisations that promoted such schemes were not registered with any licensing authority.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) fully supported the Government’s move to ban civil servants from these activities.

Its secretary-general, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah, said the schemes were not only promoted by Malaysians but also foreigners through the Internet.

The schemes were usually based on the multilevel marketing model where early entrants gained more than those who join later.

Muhammad Shaani described the schemes as a “victimisation of the majority by the minority early birds.”

He said these schemes thrived on greed and eroded the true business value of honesty and fair play.

Ahmad Shah said that although the Government had given permission to some civil servants to engage in business on a part time basis, it did not mean that they should get involved in dubious activities. -- Bernama

大马消协联合会告诫公众　慎用签账卡免失积蓄
二零零九年一月三十日 凌晨十二时一分

(吉隆坡29日讯) 大马消费人协会联合会告诫公众谨慎使用签账卡，因为若落在他人手里，可能会导致他们失去所有的积蓄。

消协联合会总秘书莫哈末沙尼阿都拉指出， 这是因为签账卡与持卡人的来往和储蓄户口连结，而每次通过该卡购物将直接从户口结存中扣除。

他说，这意味着用户须自担风险，而银行对滥用所造成的任何损失一概不负责，不像信用卡，银行负有特定的责任，因此持卡人受到保护。

也是全国消费人投诉中心首席执行员的莫哈末周四告诉马新社："如果信用卡被滥用，用户可为有关数额争议，并向银行索回退款。"

他说，自去年起，本地银行积极促销签账卡，消费人若拥有此卡务必小心谨慎。

据马新社了解，马来亚银行已发行约100万张签账卡。

另一方面，银行消息人士说，签账卡的功能类似信用卡，而且是较好的产品，对卡主与银行来说是双赢。

不过，他们坦承，如果持卡人在国外一些没有晶片解读器的门市或商店使用签账卡，可能要承担一定的风险，因为其保安特徵可能受到损害。
http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2009/01/30/5.html

更新: January 27, 2009 17:42

東禪寺平安燈會暨花藝展
大臣：互尊重不怨恨
危難中展現勇敢力量

拉惹東姑再尼拉欣沙（前排左2起）、卡立、阿都拉沙尼及覺誠法師，聯合為東禪寺平安燈會主持開幕剪綵儀式。
（仁嘉隆27日訊）首次以大臣身份與州民共慶華人新年的雪州大臣丹斯里卡立，蒞臨仁嘉隆東禪寺，向州民拜年。

他說，只要大家互相尊重，民族間不怨恨，相信能把2009年轉變成更好的一年。

卡立希望大家勇敢面對接下來的挑戰，在危難中更能展現出勇敢的力量。

他也讚揚仁嘉隆新村是雪州新村典範，因設有一座享譽大馬，甚至國外的佛光山東禪寺。

他說，東禪寺不僅是宗教場所，也是我國旅遊勝地，它把仁嘉隆這個小新村發展成一個名聞暇邇的地方，對雪州發展也有所幫助，因此，東禪寺也讓雪州享譽到全世界。

他在昨晚大年初一為“2009佛光山東禪寺平安燈會暨花藝展”主持開幕典禮致詞時，這么指出。

他說，2009年是非常重要的年份，國家面對經濟不景，而華人農曆稱今年為牛年，牛代表了勤奮，希望我們都能像牛般勤奮。

東禪寺享譽全世界

另外，馬來西亞佛光山總住持覺誠法師期許，這個燈會將是集體創作、團結合作的好因好緣，把仁嘉隆變得更進步。

陪同卡立出席的尚包括雪州皇室拉惹東姑再尼拉欣沙、雪州行政議員塞維爾、瓜拉冷岳國會議員阿都拉沙尼及直落拿督區州議員陳春水等。

同時，大會也安排不同民族的文化表演，其中四川的變臉讓卡立讚不絕口，對中華文化的精湛表演給予熱烈掌聲。過后，一行人在覺誠法師帶領下到東禪寺參觀。

ARKIB : 27/01/2009
Skim 'gores dan menang' masih berleluasa - NCCC

KUALA LUMPUR 26 Jan. - Kegiatan skim gores dan menang yang diharamkan oleh kerajaan dua tahun lepas masih berleluasa di seluruh negara dengan aduan penipuan sentiasa diterima dari pengguna.

Ketua Eksekutif Pusat Perkhidmatan Aduan Pengguna Nasional (NCCC), Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah berkata, pihaknya menerima aduan hampir setiap hari dan meminta pengguna supaya berwaspada dengan taktik tersebut.

Beliau menggesa pihak bank membantu mangsa penipuan skim "gores dan menang" dengan membatalkan transaksi syarikat tersebut kerana urusan penipuan membabitkan penggunaan kad ATM atau kad kredit.

Muhammad Sha'ani memberitahu Bernama di sini hari ini bahawa bank bukan sahaja harus menyenarai hitam syarikat atau peniaga yang terbabit dalam kegiatan penipuan tetapi juga membenarkan pemegang kad kredit menghalang urusan transaksi yang mencurigakan.

Buat masa ini, katanya, bank hanya meminta mangsa kembali kepada syarikat atau peniaga jika mahu membatalkan transaksi yang dipertikaikan itu.

Beliau berharap Bank Negara akan meneliti aduan dan rintihan mangsa penipuan akibat aktiviti jualan langsung seperti skim gores dan memang.

Katanya, NCCC telah mencadangkan supaya peraturan jualan langsung diperketatkan kerana Akta Jualan Langsung 1993 tidak memberi perlindungan yang secukupnya kepada pengguna.

"Ia semata-mata menyediakan peraturan dalam industri untuk menjalankan operasi. Sudah tiba masa untuk peruntukan melindungi hak pengguna dimasukkan ke dalam akta tersebut,' katanya.

Katanya, Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna harus memainkan peranan yang lebih luas dalam menguatkuasakan undang-undang berkaitan kegiatan jualan langsung serta membatalkan lesen perniagaan syarikat yang didapati menipu pengguna.

Katanya, NCCC menerima sejumlah 1,933 aduan terhadap syarikat jualan langsung pada 2007 berbanding 1,499 aduan pada tahun sebelumnya iaitu peningkatan 29 peratus. - BERNAMA

January 26, 2009 18:10 PM

Outlawed Scratch-and-Win Scheme Rampant

KUALA LUMPUR , Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Although the scratch-and-win promotion scheme was outlawed about two years ago, it continues to be rampant in the country, National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) disclosed today.

Chief executive Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah told Bernama today that the centre received complaints about the illegal scheme, almost on a daily basis.

He advised consumers not to fall prey to the promoters who used hard selling tactics to lure unsuspecting buyers.

He also called on banks to assist such consumers who were cheated because most of the transactions involved using either the credit or automated teller machine cards.

Muhammad said banks should not only blacklist merchants against whom there were numerous complaints but also accede to request by credit card holders to block such disputed transactions.

What banks currently practised, noted Muhammad, was directing such consumers to return to the merchants if they wanted to cancel such disputed transactions.

"This is akin to a robbery victim intending to report the matter at a police station, only to be told to meet the said robber and claim whatever losses."

He hoped Bank Negara would look into this grouse of the consumers.

Muhammad said the NCCC had proposed for tighter regulations for direct selling as the current Direct Selling Act 1993 did not provide sufficient protection for consumers.

"It (Act) merely provides regulations within which the industry should operate. It is high time that a provision protecting consumers was incorporated in the act," he added.

He pointed out that problems which were peculiar to direct selling included a lack of information about who to complain to and how, and the cost and inconvenience of complaining across distance by telephone or mail.

"This information should be well-advertised and documented and customers must be told that it exists and taught how to use it and what to do if a complaint was not handled satisfactorily."

Muhammad said a redress mechanism should also be accessible so that customers could access it easily and with minimal cost.

He added that the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry should play a bigger role in enforcing the law and in fact, terminate the licences of errant companies.

In 2007, the NCCC received a total of 1,933 complaints against direct sales companies as compared to 1,499, the previous year -- an increase of 29 per cent.

-- BERNAMA

ARKIB : 23/01/2009
Pastikan bekalan gula cukup

Oleh SITI ATHIRAH DZULKIFLY
pengarang@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Jan. - Kerajaan perlu memastikan bekalan gula di negara ini mencukupi bagi meredakan kebimbangan rakyat terhadap kemungkinan pengedar dan peniaga menyorok bahan keperluan tersebut.

Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Muhammad Shaani Abdullah berkata, masalah tersebut tidak akan berlaku sekiranya kerajaan mengekalkan harga gula pada kadar sedia ada iaitu RM1.45 sekilogram.

''Kita bimbang kalau harga gula naik maka harga barang keperluan lain juga akan turut naik, ini akan menambah lagi beban pengguna.

''Kenaikan harga barang sebelum ini pun masih ramai yang sukar terima. Sekarang timbul pula masalah gula. Tentulah rakyat tidak puas hati. Lebih teruk jika pengedar bertindak menyorokkan bahan tersebut,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.

Semalam, Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Datuk Shahrir Abd. Samad memberitahu, kerajaan akan mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap pihak yang cuba menyorok bekalan gula dengan tujuan mengaut keuntungan berlebihan ekoran harga gula yang dijangka meningkat selepas Tahun Baru Cina.

Katanya, kementerian akan memantau keadaan di semua peringkat daripada peruncit, pemborong sehingga ke pengeluar bagi memastikan tidak berlaku kekurangan bekalan gula.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Dr. Maamor Osman berpendapat, selain kerajaan, pengguna juga boleh memainkan peranan untuk menangani masalah tersebut dengan berhenti mengambil gula dalam pemakanan seharian.

Beliau berkata, langkah itu merupakan antara usaha yang boleh dilakukan bagi mengekang permintaan pasaran terhadap bekalan tersebut selain boleh menjamin kesihatan yang baik.

''Jika terpaksa beli sekali pun, elakkan daripada membuat 'pembelian panik' iaitu pada kadar yang banyak dalam satu masa kerana ia memberi mesej kepada pengedar dan pengusaha bahawa permintaan bekalan gula masih tinggi.

''Apabila keadaan ini berlaku, mereka tidak akan teragak-agak untuk menyorokkan bahan tersebut dan kemudian menjualnya dengan harga tinggi kepada pengguna demi mengaut keuntungan berlebihan,'' katanya.

Saranan itu turut disokong oleh Naib Presiden Persatuan Penasihat Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (PPPPM), M. Subramanian yang tidak menolak kegiatan menyorok bekalan bahan keperluan dilakukan oleh pengedar sehingga menyukarkan rakyat.

Menurutnya, mengikut kelaziman, pengedar merupakan pihak pertama yang mengetahui akan turun naik sesuatu bahan di pasaran sebelum pemborong, peruncit dan pengguna.

Katanya, bagi menangani kelicikan golongan tamak itu, kerajaan perlu memperhebatkan pemantauan dan bertindak terhadap mereka yang terbabit termasuk membatalkan lesen perniagaan sekiranya gagal mematuhi arahan.

Tambahnya, kempen kurangkan gula dalam makanan juga wajar diperluaskan dalam usaha mendidik masyarakat mengamalkan pemakanan yang sihat dan berkhasiat.

ARKIB : 19/01/2009
Tempoh menunggu sukar dikurang

Oleh WAN SYAMSUL AMLY dan FAIZATUL FARHANA FARUSH KHAN
pengarang@utusan.com.my


MASA yang diambil untuk menunggu berjumpa doktor di Klinik Pesakit Luar, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru.

KUALA LUMPUR 18 Jan. - Pesakit perlu memahami 'kesukaran' yang dihadapi Kementerian Kesihatan dalam usaha meningkatkan prestasi perkhidmatan serta mengurangkan tempoh menunggu bagi mendapatkan rawatan bagi setiap pesakit.

Beberapa pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) berpendapat, tempoh 30 minit bukan penentu rawatan yang diberikan berkualiti.

Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah berkata, jangka masa itu boleh diubah dan mencecah satu jam atau lebih bergantung kepada tahap kritikal pesakit itu sendiri.

''Perlaksanaan tempoh itu perlu mengikut hospital untuk dilaksanakan kerana tidak mungkin hospital yang dikunjungi ratusan pesakit setiap hari mampu mengikutinya," katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini.

Muhammad Sha'ani berkata, dasar itu sepatutnya dikaji kementerian terbabit dan disusun mengikut pusat perubatan yang berkaitan.

Jelasnya, orang ramai juga perlu faham jumlah pesakit yang ramai menyukarkan hospital mencapai sasaran 30 minit seperti yang dijanjikan.

''Kerajaan mungkin boleh mengambil inisiatif lain bagi meningkatkan mutu perkhidmatan di hospital kerajaan yang menjadi tumpuan ramai pesakit," katanya.

Tambahnya, proses pelantikan doktor di negara ini juga perlu dipercepatkan kerana kekurangan doktor menyumbang kepada perkhidmatan yang kurang cemerlang.

Pada masa sama, kata Muhammad Sha'ani, pesakit juga perlu memahami kesukaran yang ditanggung kakitangan hospital dan mencari cara lain bagi memastikan mereka tidak perlu tunggu lama.

''Kebanyakan pesakit terus mengunjungi Jabatan Pesakit Luar di hospital kerajaan apabila sakit walaupun sebenarnya mereka boleh mengunjungi klinik kesihatan kerajaan di kawasan mereka.

''Klinik kecil yang disediakan kerajaan itu mampu menangani penyakit biasa dan jika mereka disarankan ke hospital kerajaan, baru pergi kerana sikap ini akan membantu mengurangkan kesesakan pesakit di hospital kerajaan," katanya.

Mengulas isu yang sama, Naib Presiden Persatuan Penasihat Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (PPPPM), Subramaniam Munusamy berkata, masa yang diambil untuk merawat pesakit di Jabatan Pesakit Luar dan Jabatan Kecemasan semakin berkurangan.

Katanya, kakitangan di dua jabatan itu tidak boleh dipersalahkan jika pesakit terpaksa menunggu lama kerana setiap penyakit memerlukan rawatan berbeza dan ada yang memerlukan masa lama.

Keadaan itu, katanya, mungkin menyebabkan ada yang terpaksa menunggu lama untuk mendapatkan rawatan.

Sementara itu, Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Subang dan Shah Alam (CASSA), Datuk Dr. Jacob George, berkata, setiap doktor memerlukan masa untuk memeriksa pesakit bagi memastikan rawatan yang diberikan benar-benar sesuai dan berkesan.

''Bayangkan kalau doktor memeriksa pesakit yang datang kerana sakit tekak secara ala kadar bagi memenuhi tempoh yang disarankan kerajaan, tetapi akhirnya pesakit itu mempunyai ketumbuhan, pasti kesalahan akan diletakkan pada doktor itu sendiri.

''Jangan jadikan isu masa satu perkara besar kerana pesakit perlu sedar cara merawat pesakit dengan sempurna yang dijalankan doktor adalah lebih penting kepada kesihatan mereka," katanya.

Tegasnya, pesakit di negara ini perlu lebih prihatin dan menukar konsep mereka dalam mendapatkan rawatan kesihatan.

''Di negara ini, pesakit terus datang ke Jabatan Kecemasan pada waktu malam walaupun mereka hanya mengalami sakit ringan seperti batuk dan sakit perut.

''Masyarakat di negara lain pergi ke Jabatan Kecemasan jika mengalami penyakit kronik dan kritikal," katanya.

2009/01/18

SpotLight/Unrecognised qualifications: It's not quite a UM diploma
You open the newspapers and an advertisement featuring the logo of a prominent public university jumps out at you. The ad offers an executive diploma programme at affordable rates and, to sweeten the deal, it can be done part-time. But these qualifications may not be recognised by the Public Service Department or the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. SONIA RAMACHANDRAN finds out what such qualifications mean.
MAY (not her real name) wanted to know more about human resources.

An advertisement in the newspaper with a Universiti Malaya (UM) logo caught her eye.

It was offering an executive diploma in human resource management.

"I thought 'Wow! It's UM and it is not easy to get in there' so I joined and paid the deposit," she said.
"I thought it was an accredited and recognised degree as it was from UM. Classes were also held in the UM campus and that added to the impression the qualifications were UM qualifications."

Only after paying more than RM7,000 and joining the course did May realise that she had joined the University of Malaya Centre for Continuing Education (UMCCed) and not UM.

"I still thought it was all right as it carried the UM name."

On the first day of class, May said they were told their diploma was recognised by Open University Malaysia.

Their diploma was not recognised by other public universities or the Public Service Department.

"This centre emphasises life-long learning, but how is this life-long learning when there is no avenue to do so as the diploma is not recognised by any accreditation body?

"If they cannot carry out the mission statement, it is an embarrassment to say this is a centre for continuous education. It is an insult to our intelligence."

Then they found out that their executive diploma in human resource management was not even recognised by UMCCed.

"After finding out that our qualifications were not recognised by Open University Malaysia, I had no choice but to continue with my degree in UMCCed.

"That was when I was told that I could not do so as my diploma in HR management was not approved by the UM Senate," said a student who wanted to be identified only as Sarip.

A Higher Education Department officer said UMCCed was a subsidiary owned by UM and established under the Companies Act.

The qualifications awarded by UMCCed, said the officer, should be treated the same as any qualification offered by a private higher educational institution.

The National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) received 450 complaints in 2007 on misleading advertisements by higher education institutions.

Last year, there were 350 complaints.

Among these complaints were those regarding courses offered by "subsidiaries" of public universities offering "executive" courses.

NCCC chief executive officer Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said they received complaints that the students of subsidiaries of public universities received briefings in the public university itself.

"Some of these 'subsidiaries' have a campus outside the public university but when they recruit and give briefings, they do it on the public university's premises.

"The location provides the student with the impression that the course is affiliated with the university."

Sha'ani said the Higher Education Ministry should impose some regulations on these subsidiaries.

Malaysian Qualifications Agency chief executive officer Datuk Dr Syed Ahmad Hussein said most of the courses offered by the commercial arms of public universities, particularly the executive diplomas, did not fall within the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF).

"The commercial arms are subsidiaries of the universities and are subject to their rules and regulations.

"Executive diplomas and other qualifications with the word 'executive' do not fall under us.

"But we have formed a technical committee last month, made up of top scholars, to advise MQA on some qualifications like associate degrees, executive diplomas and executive bachelor degrees that are offered around the world that have not been fitted into our framework."

Syed Ahmad said while seeking accreditation was not compulsory under the MQA Act, other related higher education acts, as well as the provisions made by funding agencies and foreign governments made accreditation of courses mandatory.

The Ministry of Higher Education also makes it compulsory for programmes in all institutions of higher learning to be in compliance with the MQF by 2011.

One proof of this compliance is accreditation.

"We are aware of courses by these commercial arms and are talking to the Higher Education Ministry and the public universities to see how these courses can be brought in line with the spirit and letter of the framework."

He advised students to always check the status of their courses when they were in doubt.

"Our door is always open. We will never reject any query or complaint and will forward it to the relevant agency or department if it does not fall under us."

Higher Education Department director-general Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said any programme offered by any university in any form, had to be governed by MQF.

Under the framework, he said, the learning outcome, specifications and attributes of the programmes were specified.

"MQF is flexible in the sense that the method of delivery of the course can differ so long as it meets the attributes defined.

"Universities offering programmes in whatever form have to get them accredited."

Sunday January 18, 2009

Consumers against bus-barring, operators seek more details

PETALING JAYA: Bus operators want more details of the Transport Ministry’s proposal to ban express buses after midnight.

Consumer groups, meanwhile, are totally against the idea.

“The Government must explain why they are implementing such a move. Do more accidents happen at night?

“Maybe they can show us the statistics,” Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Datuk Ashfar Ali told The Star.

The move, he said, would make it inconvenient for passengers and cause more congestion on the roads as more vehicles would be on the road by day.

“We do trips at night only because there are demands from passengers. About 40% of express buses start their trips after 7pm. You won’t be able to reach your destination in time for long haul trips,” he said.

Ashfar said passengers could opt to start their journey earlier but would waste a day travelling.

“With the midnight ban, this means they have to spend at least two days to get their business done, plus they have to fork out for accommodation,” he said.

Fomca secretary-general Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah called the proposal “impractical” and would not encourage economic growth and efficient movement of people.

“It means no more buses can depart at night. Many people travel at night because they want to save time to do something else during the day,” he said.

He said the move would lead to bus operators cutting corners to make up for lost earnings.

It might be dangerous to passengers if the safety of vehicles was compromised, he added.

ARKIB : 17/01/2009
Turun tarif elektrik untuk pendapatan rendah saja

KUALA LUMPUR 16 Jan. - Kerajaan diminta tidak menurunkan kadar tarif elektrik secara menyeluruh sebaliknya dihadkan kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah sahaja.

Saranan itu dibuat oleh Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) bagi memastikan mereka yang berpendapatan rendah berpeluang merasai manfaat penurunan tarif elektrik sekali gus membantu meringankan beban.

Setiausaha Agung FOMCA, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah berkata, dalam keadaan ekonomi tidak menentu selain kenaikan harga barang, golongan yang paling banyak menerima tekanan adalah pengguna yang berpendapatan rendah berbanding golongan elit.

"Kalau penurunan tarif elektrik dibuat secara menyeluruh, golongan elit sudah pasti merasai lebih manfaatnya, jadi ini seolah-olah tidak adil,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Kelmarin, Menteri Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi, Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor berkata, kementeriannya memerlukan tiga minggu untuk menyediakan tarif elektrik baru yang selari dengan harga gas baru yang dicadangkan oleh Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

Menurut beliau, ia selaras dengan penurunan harga minyak selain keprihatinan terhadap cadangan pihak industri dalam usaha merangsang ekonomi negara.

Muhammad Shaani berkata, jika penurunan tarif elektrik dilakukan secara menyeluruh, ia turut menggalakkan pembaziran penggunaan elektrik di kalangan pengguna berkemampuan.

Naib Presiden Persatuan Penasihat Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (PPPPM), M. Subramanian turut berpendapat supaya golongan berpendapatan rendah perlu diutamakan.

Namun, pada masa yang sama, beliau harap kerajaan tidak mengenakan tarif elektrik pada kadar yang tinggi berbanding sedia ada.

"Apa yang dilakukan oleh kerajaan sekarang wajar dipuji tetapi kita harap kerajaan dapat mengkaji perkara ini dengan lebih mendalam supaya tidak menekan mana-mana pihak,'' katanya.

Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Dr. Maamor Osman berkata, jika kerajaan dapat membuat semakan ke arah pengurangan tarif elektrik, ia mampu memberi kesan kepada kos pengeluaran lain.

Menurutnya, sebagai contoh, sektor perniagaan makanan, pasar raya dan perkilangan merupakan antara sektor yang banyak menggunakan tenaga elektrik bagi tujuan pengoperasian.

"Kalau tarif elektrik diturunkan 15 peratus pun sudah memadai malahan mampu membantu menjimatkan kos pengeluaran sehingga lima peratus,'' ujarnya.

ARKIB : 17/01/2009
Bank tidak boleh henti urus niaga secara sebarangan

KUALA LUMPUR 16 Jan. - Bank-bank di negara ini tidak boleh menyekat akaun syarikat jualan langsung yang mencurigakan dan menjalankan perniagaan 'gores dan menang' secara sembarangan walaupun yang telah diharamkan oleh kerajaan.

Pengarah Eksekutif Persatuan Bank-Bank Dalam Malaysia (ABM), Chuah Mei Lin berkata, pihaknya hanya boleh berbuat demikian jika mendapat arahan daripada Bank Negara atau pihak polis selepas siasatan dibuat.

''Kami tidak boleh mengambil tindakan unilateral untuk menghentikan urus niaga syarikat yang mencurigakan tanpa merujuk kepada bukti siasatan daripada pihak berkuasa," katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini semalam.

Beliau diminta mengulas gesaan Pusat Khidmat Aduan Pengguna Nasional (NCCC) agar bank-bank menghentikan urus niaga syarikat jualan langsung yang mencurigakan dan menjalankan perniagaan 'gores dan menang' yang telah diharamkan oleh kerajaan.

Menurut Ketua Eksekutif NCCC, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah, secara purata pusat itu menerima tidak kurang lima aduan sehari daripada pengguna mengenai kegiatan penipuan syarikat terbabit.

Beliau berkata, pihak bank seolah-olah 'menghalalkan' skim 'gores dan menang' kerana membenarkan proses transaksi syarikat tersebut yang ternyata salah di sisi undang-undang.

Mangsa

Sha'ani juga meminta pihak bank supaya membatalkan penggunaan kad kredit di kalangan peniaga yang menyalahgunakan perkhidmatan itu.

Mei Lin berkata, pihaknya akan mengambil tindakan sewajarnya dan membuat laporan kepada Bank Negara serta pihak polis jika menerima aduan daripada orang ramai yang menjadi mangsa penipuan syarikat jualan langsung.

Menurut beliau, inisiatif untuk meningkatkan kesedaran orang ramai agar berwaspada terhadap skim 'gores dan menang' adalah lebih penting daripada meminta pihak bank menghentikan urus niaga sesebuah syarikat.

''Kami juga menasihati orang ramai agar berfikir semasak-masaknya sebelum terlibat dalam skim tersebut kerana ia mungkin akan merugikan masa depan mereka," katanya.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja-Pekerja Bank (NUBE), J. Solomon turut mengakui bank-bank tidak boleh menghentikan urus niaga syarikat jualan langsung yang mencurigakan tanpa arahan daripada Bank Negara dan pihak polis.

Beliau berkata, orang ramai tidak harus tamak sebaliknya perlu bekerja keras untuk mendapatkan pendapatan melalui usaha sendiri.

''Kita perlu berwaspada dengan pihak yang cuba mengambil kesempatan atas kesusahan orang ramai yang kini sedang berhadapan dengan kelembapan ekonomi negara," katanya.

更新: January 17, 2009 23:08 （吉隆坡17日訊）大馬銀行公會認為，即使“刮刮樂”商業活動遭政府禁止，但國內銀行沒權力限制與疑涉及該活動直銷公司的戶頭交易。

該會執行主任蔡美玲（譯音）指出，公會在未獲國家銀行或警方指示前，沒權力限制這些公司的戶頭交易。

“我們不能在未經執法單位調查，就單方面停止與他們進行交易。”

她說，該公會一旦接獲公眾受騙投報，將向國家銀行及警方提呈報告。

據全國消費人投訴中心首席執行員莫哈末沙亞尼指出，該中心平均每天接獲至少5宗相關的欺騙案件。

他指責，銀行批准有關公司的交易，形同助長“刮刮樂”騙局。

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銀行應具社會道德

光明日報／新聞後花園‧作者：羅素蘭‧2009.01.17

ARKIB : 15/01/2009

Thursday January 15, 2009

Banks urged to deny card payments

PETALING JAYA: The National Consumer Complaints Centre wants banks to disallow credit card facilities to a company operating illegal “scratch-and-win” draws.

The centre’s chief executive Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said that although the licence of the company was revoked in May last year, its credit card facilities were not terminated.

He also urged Bank Negara, the Association of Banks and Fomca to formulate solutions to stop such business.

“We receive no fewer than five complaints a day from people being fleeced by this company,” he told a press conference yesterday, adding that allowing credit card facilities to such a company was as good as abetment.

The company has branches in the Klang Valley, Ipoh, Kuantan, Batu Pahat and Seremban.

Muhammad said victims of the scam were forced to buy products and services under duress, and suggested that products worth more than RM500 should not be allowed to be sold directly unless specifically permitted by the authorities.

“There have been 1,500 reported cases of people who felt that they were cheated by this kind of draw or contest, “ he said.

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全國消費人投訴中心：允刷卡交易‧銀行助長刮刮樂騙局

星洲日報‧2009.01.15

ARKIB : 15/01/2009

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消費人投訴中心：銀行助長刮刮樂

星洲互動‧2009.01.14

ARKIB : 12/01/2009
Kempen boikot barangan AS perlu menyeluruh

KUALA LUMPUR 11 Jan. - Persatuan Penasihat Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia mengingatkan kempen boikot barangan Amerika Syarikat (AS) hanya akan berjaya jika ia mendapat sokongan menyeluruh masyarakat pengguna.

Naib Presidennya, M. Subramaniam berkata, kempen itu setakat ini belum menampakkan kesan besar kerana penglibatannya masih terhad.

Menurutnya, kempen itu merupakan idea yang baik untuk memberi kesan langsung terhadap ekonomi AS tetapi ia tidak akan mencapai matlamatnya jika hanya segelintir masyarakat pengguna yang terlibat.

''Sekiranya kempen ini mendapat sokongan semua rakyat secara berterusan, kita akan melihat impaknya akan diterima AS dalam masa tidak lebih dua bulan,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Muhammad Shaani Abdullah pula berkata, kejayaan kempen bergantung sepenuhnya kepada komitmen pengguna.

''Komitmen itu akan muncul jika rakyat merasakan ketidakadilan yang berlaku di Palestin,'' katanya.

Menurutnya, kempen memboikot produk AS bertujuan mendesak pengeluar di sana supaya menekan kerajaan AS mengarahkan Israel menghentikan serangan ke atas Palestin.

Pengarah Projek Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin pula berharap selain pengguna, pasar raya juga bersama-sama memboikot produk AS.

Komitmen mereka katanya, penting untuk memaklumkan kepada pengguna tentang barangan yang perlu diboikot.

''Mereka perlu menjalankan kempen kepada pengguna untuk membeli barangan buatan Malaysia sebagai tanda sokongan,'' katanya.

Thursday January 8, 2009

Declare revenue shared with highway firms, Government urged

By SIM LEOI LEOI

PETALING JAYA: The Government should declare any financial gain it has received from its revenue-sharing agreements with highway operators like Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong, PLUS and SecondLink.

Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani said the Government should also rechannel the revenue back to the public by ensuring toll charges remained low.

“Since the Government has to pay compensation each time it asks the toll operators not to increase toll rates, why can’t this be discounted against the revenue it has gained to benefit consumers and road users?

“This will only be fair as toll charges affect the public anyway,” he said here yesterday.

Muhammad was responding to reports that the LDP operator had signed a supplementary agreement with the Government to share its revenue while PLUS and SecondLink had also inked similar deals.

The sharing mechanism kicks in the moment the highway operators have achieved their projected toll revenue for the year.

Muslim Consumers Association secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman said a third party should be engaged to audit the revenue received by the highway operators to ensure the Government got its share.

“The highway operators need to justify their costs of construction and running the highways so that these cannot be inflated.

“Highway operators can also earn millions from outdoor advertising and rentals from stalls in rest and recreation areas,” he said.

MCA information and communication bureau chief Lee Wei Kiat said from the initial reading of the documents, the main aim of the agreements was to generate profits and that it had totally neglected the interests of both the Government and the people.

“The Government should conduct an overall review of the privatisation of our highways to ensure that this is aimed at benefiting the people, not otherwise,” he said, adding that the original objectives of constructing the toll highways should not be forgotten.

Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the subcommittee on infrastructure and privatisation Goh Bok Yen said in developed countries, any revenue shared with the Government would be channelled into an independent fund.

ARKIB : 08/01/2009

Wednesday January 7, 2009

Added security to prevent credit card fraud

PETALING JAYA: The National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) is proposing that credit card purchases of fuel at the pump be authenticated by the cardholder keying in a personal identification number (PIN) or password.

“There should be more security for consumers who use their credit cards to buy fuel,” the centre’s chief executive Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah told a press conference here yesterday.

He said cases relating to lost credit cards and fraud increased from 809 in 2007 to over 1,000 last year, and most misuse took place at petrol stations.

“This is because the current system only requires the user to swipe the card,” he said. The NCCC will send its proposal to Bank Negara Malaysia this week, added Muhammad Sha’ani, who is also Fomca secretary-general.

He lamented that not all credit card issuers had a flagging system to alert users when irregular transactions were made.

“Some banks could not care less when irregular transactions occur, such as a credit card being used many times at the same premises on the same day,” he said, adding that these banks left the responsibility to the cardholder.

“If banks are not equipped with such a simple security system, then Bank Negara should just stop credit card usage altogether,” Muhammad Sha’ani said.

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消費人投訴中心2007年度報告‧公共交通系統投訴1254宗

Banteras seleweng kad kredit

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara perlu menyediakan garis panduan yang boleh digunapakai setiap bank bagi mengelakkan berlakunya penyelewengan kad kredit yang semakin meningkat, kata sebuah badan bukan kerajaan.

Ketua Eksekutif Pusat Khidmat Aduan Pengguna Nasional (NCCC) Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah berkata, kes penyelewengan kad kredit, termasuk kehilangan kad kredit di stesen minyak, meningkat daripada 809 kes pada 2007 kepada lebih 1,000 kes tahun lepas.

“Contohnya kes penyelewengan di stesen minyak (boleh berlaku kerana) tiada ciri-ciri keselamatan ketika pengguna membayar menggunakan kad kredit.

Mereka hanya perlu lerekkan (kad mereka di mesin-mesin pembayaran secara kad kredit) tanpa perlu memasukkan nombor pengenalan diri atau kata laluan.

“Orang lain dengan mudah boleh menggunakan kad kredit pemilik yang hilang tanpa sebarang pengesahan atau kata laluan semasa membuat transaksi (di stesen-stesen minyak),” katanya di sini, semalam. - Bernama

KOSMO

Ketatkan guna kad kredit

SEORANG ahli perniagaan, Ramli Latif menggunakan kad kredit untuk mengisi petrol di salah sebuah stesen minyak di Kuala Lumpur semalam.

---

KUALA LUMPUR – Pusat Khidmat Aduan Pengguna Nasional (NCCC) menyarankan Bank Negara Malaysia menyediakan satu garis panduan ketat yang boleh diguna pakai bagi setiap bank untuk mengelakkan berlakunya penyelewengan kad kredit yang kini semakin meningkat.

Ketua Eksekutif NCCC, Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah berkata, terdapat kelemahan dalam penggunaan kad kredit dan kad ATM ketika ini kerana bayaran yang dilakukan menggunakan kad tersebut tidak menggunakan sebarang ciri keselamatan.

Sebagai contoh, menurut beliau, kes-kes melibatkan seseorang yang kehilangan kad kreditnya akan membolehkan pihak lain mengunakan kad berkenaan untuk membeli petrol di stesen minyak dengan mudah.

“Ini menunjukkan sistem keselamatan yang digunakan lemah dan jika nombor pin atau pengenalan diri digunakan sebelum seseorang itu mengisi petrol, mungkin kejadian tersebut boleh dielakkan.

“Apabila pemilik kad tersebut menghubungi pihak bank, dia pula dipersalahkan berikutan kecuaiannya menjaga kad kredit dengan baik, selain perlu membayar nilai wang yang telah digunakan pihak ketiga,” katanya pada sidang media di sini semalam.

Ketika ini kes penyelewengan kad kredit termasuk penggunaan kad kredit curi di negara ini meningkat daripada 809 kes pada 2007 kepada lebih 1,000 kes pada tahun lalu dengan 200 daripadanya membabitkan penyelewengan penggunaan kad kredit di stesen-stesen minyak.

Crooked, scheming merchants
By JOSEPH KAOS JR January 07, 2009
Categories: News
Credit card-issuing banks which turn a blind eye to credit card scams are just as shady as crooked, scheming merchants. This is the claim of the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC).

“There are just too many complaints of credit card fraud cases where banks refuse to take responsibility, insisting that it is the customer’s own fault,” said Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, chief executive of NCCC.

“Any unusual credit card transaction is recorded and if banks are not taking measures to help their own customers then it is as if they are endorsing what the crooked traders are doing. After all, the banks profit from these.”

Muhammad Sha'ani addressed several issues at a Press conference yesterday at the NCCC operations centre.

He also highlighted the ease of purchasing fuel with credit cards without the need for any authentication to prove that the user is the actual card holder.

He claimed that in 2007 there were 809 complaints of lost credit cards and the number increased to more than a thousand last year.

“In almost all of these cases, the victims’ credit card statements displayed excessive fuel purchases.

“We are proposing the requirement of passwords or PIN numbers when purchasing petrol with credit cards as a form of added security for consumers,” he said, adding that NCCC would send the proposal to Bank Negara this week.

He also suggested that the merchants involved in credit card fraud should be investigated to put the brakes on more scams.

“There are laws to punish these cheats but there has to be more enforcement.”

Other suggestions in the NCCC’s proposal is the prohibition of credit card recruitment by third parties other than licensed banks.

“This way, banks will not be able to shift the blame to third parties if credit card users are only recruited by their own people,” said Muhammad Sha’ani.

The NCCC, formed in 2004, is an initiative between the Consumer Research and Resource Centre, the Consumer Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry. It adopts a cheeky tagline, “NCCC — Now everyone can complain”.

ARKIB : 07/01/2009

Perkenal nombor pin belian petrol guna kad kredit

PETALING JAYA 6 Jan. - Pusat Khidmat Aduan Pengguna Nasional meminta sektor perbankan memperkenalkan peraturan penggunaan nombor pin dalam urusan pembelian petrol menggunakan kad kredit ekoran berleluasanya kes penggunaan kad kredit curi di stesen-stesen minyak.

Ketua Eksekutifnya, Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah berkata, pada masa ini pengguna yang membeli petrol menggunakan kad kredit hanya perlu memasukkan kad pada pam minyak sebelum mengisi petrol.

''Langkah ini lebih mudah berbanding urusan pembelian di kaunter kerana pengguna perlu menurunkan tanda tangan atau kadang kala syarikat kad kredit akan menghubungi pengguna bagi mendapatkan pengesahan,'' katanya pada sidang akhbar di pejabatnya di sini hari ini.

Muhammad Sha'ani berkata, pusat khidmat aduan berkenaan menerima sebanyak 809 aduan sepanjang 2007.

''Tahun lalu, aduan yang diterima meningkat lebih 1,000 kes.

''Hampir kesemua aduan yang diterima adalah daripada pemilik kad kredit yang kehilangan kad kredit dan kad berkenaan digunakan untuk pelbagai pembelian terutamanya membeli petrol selain barangan kemas,'' katanya.

Menurut beliau, pihaknya dimaklumkan ada kad kredit yang dicuri digunakan untuk membeli petrol di stesen minyak yang sama sebanyak tiga kali dalam sehari.

''Ini menunjukkan sistem pembelian petrol menggunakan kad kredit di negara kita terlalu longgar dan mudah,'' katanya.

Tambah beliau, pihaknya akan menghantar kertas cadangan kepada Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) berhubung isu meningkatkan ciri keselamatan bagi penggunaan kad kredit untuk pembelian petrol dalam minggu ini.

2009/01/07

Passwords to stop credit-card abuse

By : Azura Abas

Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah says banks must have state-of-the-art security systems.

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消費人投訴中心2007年度報告‧公共交通系統投訴1254宗

星洲日報‧2009.01.07

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投訴中心：現有制度不完善‧信用卡多被盜刷添油

星洲日報‧2009.01.06

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消費人投訴中心：信用卡多被盜刷添油

星洲互動．2009.01.06

06 Januari, 2009 16:20 PM

Mekanisme Banteras Penyelewengan Kad Kredit Diperlukan

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Jan (Bernama) -- Bank Negara perlu menyediakan satu garis panduan yang boleh digunapakai bagi setiap bank untuk mengelakkan berlakunya penyelewengan kad kredit yang kini semakin meningkat, kata sebuah badan bukan kerajaan.

Ketua Eksekutif Pusat Khidmat Aduan Pengguna Nasional (NCCC) Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah berkata kes penyelewengan kad kredit, termasuk kehilangan kad kredit di stesen minyak, di negara ini telah meningkat daripada 809 kes pada 2007 kepada lebih 1,000 kes pada tahun lepas.

"Sebagai contoh kes penyelewengan di stesen minyak (boleh berlaku kerana) tiada ciri-ciri keselamatan ketika pengguna membayar menggunakan kad kredit. Mereka hanya perlu lerekkan (kad mereka di mesin-mesin pembayaran secara kad kredit) tanpa perlu memasukkan sebarang nombor pengenalan diri ataupun kata laluan.

"Orang lain dengan mudah boleh menggunakan kad kredit pengguna yang hilang tanpa sebarang pengesahan atau kata laluan semasa membuat transaksi (di stesen-stesen minyak)," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Katanya untuk itu pihak bank perlu memperkenalkan kata laluan untuk penggunaan kad kredit di stesen minyak serta untuk pembelian barangan secara dalam talian dan juga melalui telefon bagi mengelakkan ia tidak disalahgunakan oleh mereka yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

Muhammad Sha'ani berkata Bank Negara juga perlu menyekat pihak ketiga daripada terlibat dalam permohonan kad kredit baru untuk pengguna kerana ini mampu disalahgunakan oleh mereka yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

"Ada satu kes di mana pengguna diminta mengisi borang kad kredit hanya untuk membeli sesuatu barang. Penjual menghantar borang itu ke bank serta mengenakan bayaran dan caj berlebihan kepada pengguna. Ini salah satu unsur jenayah," katanya.

Beliau berkata pihak berkuasa juga perlu mengadakan siasatan terhadap kes penipuan dan penyelewengan kad kredit ini, termasuk menghentikan sebarang transaksi yang mengandungi unsur yang mencurigakan.

NCCC turut menerima aduan mengenai caj yang tidak sepatutnya dikenakan pihak bank seperti caj kehilangan buku bank, caj transaksi kad kredit, caj penutupan akaun bank dan sebagainya, katanya.

NCCC yang ditubuhkan pada 2004 oleh persatuan pengguna dengan kerjasama Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna merupakan pusat aduan setempat bagi membantu para pengguna menyelesaikan sebarang masalah terutama dengan pihak peniaga.

-- BERNAMA

Published: Tuesday January 6, 2009 MYT 4:32:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday January 6, 2009 MYT 6:27:36 PM

Credit cards at the pumps: Use PINs or passwords

By YUEN MEIKENG and M. SHAMINEE

PETALING JAYA: The National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) is proposing that consumers using credit cards to pay for petrol at the pumps be required to key in a personal identification number (PIN) or password.

“There should be more efforts to step up security when consumers use their credit cards to buy fuel,” said the centre’s chief executive Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah.

“This is because anyone may misuse the card as the current system only requires the user to swipe the card without any signature or security number,” he said at a press conference here Tuesday.

The proposal will be sent to Bank Negara Malaysia by this week, added Muhammad Sha’ani, who is also Fomca (Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations) secretary-general.

He said that cases relating to lost credit cards and fraud have increased from 809 in 2007 to over 1,000 last year, of which most took place at petrol stations.

Muhammad Sha’ani pointed out that not all credit card issuers have a flagging system whereby warnings were issued to users when unusual transactions were detected, such as when a credit card is used multiple times at the same premise on the same day.

“If banks are not equipped with such a simple security system, then Bank Negara should just stop credit card usage altogether,” Muhammad Sha’ani said.

He added that Bank Negara should also prohibit third parties from recruiting credit card users and only allow licensed banks to do so.