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February 28, 2009 19:31 PM

Govt Urged To Renegotiate Contracts With Highway Operators

By Voon Miaw Ping

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) today urged the government to renegotiate highway concession contracts will all operators.

The concessionaires, meanwhile, should justify their toll collection structure and make public their annual revenue from toll collections, said TI-M president Tan Sri R.V. Navaratnam.

"There is still a nagging question that goes unanswered for so long -- why are they overcharging the people?

"The public wants more transparency and accountability on the profit made by the concessionaires," he said to Bernama.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed announced on Thursday that toll rates for five expressways -- North-South Expressway, Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal System Expressway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Sungai Besi Highway and New Pantai Expressway -- would increase between 0.68 sen and 50 sen from March 1.

The next day, however after a public outcry, the Cabinet decided to postpone the hike indefinitely and as a result, the government now would have to fork out at least RM287 million this year to compensate the concession holders.

While welcoming the Cabinet's latest decision, Navaratnam said the government should have been more transparent and accountable as the compensation "involves a wastage of huge amount of public funds".

"The people wants to know why the government need to compensate so much to these concessionaires," he said.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) called on the government to rectify any unfairness in the concession agreements which it said was tantamount to "daylight robbery".

Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said the agreements only benefited certain stakeholders and the government should seriously consider buying out the concessionaires now for all the people to benefit in the long run.

"The government can buy out these concessionaires as the government owns a majority of the shares. Why it needs to bow to their demands while the welfare of the largest stakeholder -- the people -- is at stake," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Friday February 27, 2009
Groups call for buyouts, new highway deals

PATTAYA (Thailand): Prime Mi­nis­ter Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked for the decision to increase the toll rates on five major highways to be reconsidered.

Abdullah, who joined a chorus of various consumer-related bodies in the call for the reconsideration, said the matter would be discussed in the Cabinet meeting today chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Mohd Zin had said road users would have to pay higher tolls for five major highways beginning March 1.

The highways affected are the North-South Expressway (PLUS), Sprint / Kerinchi / Damansara Link highways, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Expressway (Akleh), Sungai Besi Highway and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE).

Abdullah said the decision to increase the toll rates was made two or three weeks ago.

“However, the situation has now changed, and the economy has not become better as yet, he said.

“People are having difficulties. The situation is not right for a toll increase. I feel the matter needs to be discussed again in the Cabinet.”

“The decision may come in the form of measures that will included in the second stimulus package or through some other measures.

“I think that’s the best that we can do – conduct a review and decide on whatever that is appropriate,” he told reporters after attending the Third Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting here yesterday. Today he will be in Hua Hin to attend the Asean Summit.

In Petaling Jaya, the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations said the Government must immediately renegotiate all concession agreements.

Secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said the Govern­ment’s decision to allow highway concessionaires to increase toll rates was not in line with the economic policies to deal with the current economic situation.

Pan-Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said the timing of the toll increase was bad.

“It is ridiculous for the Government to keep increasing the rates when they are dragging their feet on a fare increase for the bus industry,” he said.

Pan-Malaysian Lorry Operators Association president Er Sui See said he proposed that the Employees Provident Fund buy over the highways.

Wednesday February 25, 2009
Fomca: Smart traffic lights can ease jams

KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic congestion in the city during peak hours can be minimised by using smart traffic lights, said the Federation of Malaysian Consumers’ Association.

Association secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said the lights would allow the traffic police to concentrate on enforcing rules and regulations instead of guiding motorists.

“It is often the queue jumping and overtaking at the double line that causes traff ic congestions,” he told Bernama.

Muhammad said the smart traffic lights could easily be synchronised to ensure smoother traffic flow.

On the government’s move to install closed circuit television camera to nab speeding motorists or reckless drivers, Muhammad said it would not be effective if not monitored closely.

“This is nothing new. It was done before and the results were not encouraging,” he added.

ARKIB : 24/02/2009
Lupakan pelaris: Bersih, layanan baik kunci tarik ramai pelanggan

KUALA LUMPUR 23 Feb. - Lupakan pelaris. Kebersihan dan layanan baik serta cekap adalah faktor utama untuk menarik pelanggan.

Rahsia kejayaan itu dikongsi oleh Pengarah Urusan Restoran Hakim Sdn. Bhd., Hakimsa Abdul Karim yang menguruskan perniagaan Restoran Hakim sejak lebih 40 tahun lalu.

"Saya tak percaya pelaris. Kalau Tuhan tak izinkan hikmat pelaris itu, ia tetap takkan menjadi. Kalau begitu, yang paling penting minta tolong daripada Tuhan.

"Setiap pengusaha kedai makan perlu jujur terhadap pelanggan. Gunakan bahan yang halal dan segar dalam masakan," katanya.

Sepanjang pengalaman membuka puluhan cawangan Restoran Hakim, Hakimsa mengakui ada pengusaha kedai makan menggunakan bermacam jenis pelaris bagi menarik pelanggan.

"Ada pengusaha restoran jumpa bomoh di dalam atau luar negara bagi mencari barang pelaris. Itu bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam.

"Segelintir pengusaha yang buat perniagaan kedai bersebelahan sampai jatuh. Ada yang gantung ayat tertentu sebab percaya ada kuasa melariskan perniagaan mereka, ini pun salah," katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas laporan khas Utusan Malaysia semalam mengenai penggunaan pelaris dalam perniagaan restoran untuk menarik pelanggan dan mendapatkan untung lumayan dengan cara cepat serta mudah.

Laporan berkenaan mendedahkan ada peniaga meminta pertolongan makhluk halus iaitu jin untuk menjatuhkan perniagaan orang lain.

Hakimsa menambah, faktor lain yang menjanjikan kejayaan perniagaan seseorang pengusaha ialah layanan baik kepada para pekerja dan menunaikan tuntutan Islam.

Jelasnya, pengusaha tidak jujur pasti menerima kesan daripada perbuatan mereka menggunakan pelaris, termasuk apabila pelanggan menipu mereka dengan tidak membayar makanan, akhirnya mereka rugi.

"Rezeki hasil jualan akan menjadi darah daging dan keturunan, jadi perniagaan yang halal penting bagi melahirkan generasi yang baik," katanya.

Presiden Ikatan Rakyat Insan Muslim Malaysia (IRIMM), Amir Amsa Alla Pitchay menegaskan, tiada jalan pintas untuk berjaya dalam perniagaan.

"Perniagaan dengan hati ikhlas pasti akan dibantu dan diberkati oleh Allah.

"Apa yang saya dengar dan lihat, pelaris digunakan semua kaum. Apa pun alasannya ia tetap salah, karut dan khurafat dalam mana-mana agama.

"Dengan layanan yang baik dan mesra di samping kedai yang bersih akan membuatkan pelanggan datang berulang kali ke kedai kita," katanya.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah pula berkata, pengusaha restoran yang menggunakan pelaris hanya mementingkan keuntungan.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, apa yang dijual di restoran itu pastinya lebih menjurus kepada mencari untung semata-mata termasuk dari segi perkhidmatan dan harga makanan.

"Pelanggan kena berhati-hati masuk ke kedai makan. Kalau tahu ada tanda-tanda mereka guna pelaris, jangan datang lagi," katanya.

February 24, 2009 14:48 PM

Police Should Concentrate On Enforcement - Fomca

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Traffic congestion in the city during peak hours can be minimised by using smart traffic lights, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) said.

The lights would also free traffic police to concentrate on enforcing rules and regulations, Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said, adding that police could be more productive in ensuring that motorists adhere to rules and avoid queue jumping rather than guiding motorists, he added.

"It was often the queue jumping, crossing double line and speeding that caused traffic slow down and congestions," he said told Bernama.

Muhammad said the lights could easily be synchronised to ensure a smoother flow of traffic.

On the government's move to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera to nab speeding motorists or reckless drivers, Muhammad said, this would not be effective if it was not monitored closely.

"This is nothing new, it had been done before and the results were not encouraging," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Selangor diminta segera muktamadkan perjanjian air

22/02/2009 2:26pm

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Feb. — Forum Air Malaysia (FAM) dan Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) hari ini meminta kerajaan Selangor dan pemegang konsesi air swasta yang berkenaan supaya segera memuktamadkan rundingan mereka demi kepentingan pengguna.

Kerajaan Selangor, yang merupakan pemegang saham minoriti dalam konsesi itu, belum dapat menyelesaikan beberapa perkara berhubung rancangannya untuk membeli kepentingan rakan kongsinya bagi menyusun semula sistem penyampaian dan merawat air di kawasan tertentu .

“Kelewatan ini akan memberi kesan besar terhadap tarif air di Selangor, Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya,” kata pertubuhan itu dalam kenyataan bersama kepada Bernama.

FAM bertindak sebagai penasihat kepada Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Kebangsaan (SPAN) mengenai isu berkaitan pengguna, manakala FOMCA memperjuang kepentingan seluruh masyarakat pengguna dalam semua isu.

Kenyataan yang ditandatangani bersama oleh setiausaha agung FAM Piarapakaran Subramaniam dan setiausaha agung FOMCA Muhammad Shaani Abdullah itu menyatakan bahawa sekiranya rundingan berkenaan tidak dimuktamadkan menjelang 31 Mac ini seperti yang ditetapkan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan, maka tarik air di tiga kawasan berkenaan akan dinaikkan sebanyak 37 peratus.

Memandangkan rundingan itu tidak menampakkan tanda-tanda akan mencapai kesudahannya, SPAN membayangkan rancangannya untuk mengadakan rundingan secara terus dengan pemegang konsesi terbabit bagi mempercepat urusan berkenaan.

Rancangan ini bagaimanapun dibantah keras oleh kerajaan Selangor.

— BERNAMA

ARKIB : 18/02/2009
Persatuan mahu harga barang keperluan kekal

KUALA LUMPUR 17 Feb. - Persatuan pengguna mahu kerajaan mengekalkan harga asal barang-barang keperluan walaupun harganya kini semakin meningkat di pasaran dunia supaya orang ramai tidak dibebankan lagi dengan kenaikan kos sara hidup.

Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Subang dan Shah Alam (CASSA), Datuk Dr. Jacob George berkata, kebanyakan barangan keperluan termasuk gula dan beras diimport dari luar negara dan harga barangan tersebut meningkat semakin tinggi di pasaran global.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya memahami kerajaan tidak dapat mengurangkan harga barang secara drastik ketika ini bagi meringankan beban rakyat tempatan.

''Dalam situasi sebegini, cadangan kerajaan tidak akan menaikkan harga gula menunjukkan bahawa mereka sangat prihatin terhadap rakyat,'' katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas cadangan Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (KPDNHEP) yang tidak akan menaikkan harga gula dalam masa terdekat selepas mengadakan perbincangan dengan pihak industri.

Tambah beliau, kerajaan juga tidak boleh membenarkan sesebuah syarikat untuk memonopoli sebarang tender pada masa kini.

''Tindakan itu sudah pasti akan memberi impak besar pada industri dan syarikat lain ketika negara menghadapi krisis ekonomi,'' jelasnya.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah berkata, pihaknya menyambut baik cadangan kerajaan yang tidak akan membebankan masyarakat dengan meningkatkan harga barangan keperluan.

Katanya, jika harga gula dinaikkan, semua barangan yang diperbuat menggunakan campuran gula terpaksa dinaikkan.

''Ini akan mengakibatkan kos sara hidup turut naik dalam keadaan ekonomi yang tidak menentu kini.

''Jika harga barangan keperluan dinaikkan, kerajaan harus menanggung kenaikan harga barangan itu dengan memberi subsidi khas,'' ujarnya.

Pada masa ini katanya, kerajaan harus lebih prihatin terhadap rakyat kerana ramai yang telah diberhentikan kerja ekoran masalah kegawatan ekonomi.

''Kami berharap pihak kerajaan tidak akan memberikan beban kepada masyarakat dengan menaikkan harga barangan keperluan seperti susu, gula dan beras,'' jelasnya.

Saturday February 14, 2009
Toll at PJS2 plaza abolished
By LESTER KONG and LOH FOON FONG

PETALING JAYA: Toll collection at the Kuala Lumpur-bound toll plaza at PJS2 on the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) has been abolished from midnight last night.

The Cabinet decided to do away with the RM1.60 toll last week, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed yesterday.

“The decision by the Cabinet was a consequence of the Works Ministry’s memorandum to abolish the toll. Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, it is also the Government’s way to show love to the rakyat,” he said during the announcement ceremony of the abolishment.

Mohd Zin said removing the toll was also meant to soften the effects of economic uncertainties for the nearby residents who had to pay RM1.60 every time they drove towards Kuala Lumpur since April 2004.

Mohd Zin did not specify the amount of compensation to be paid to concessionaire NPE Sdn Bhd.

Officials of the consessionaire could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, a small but noisy crowd of Umno, PAS and PKR supporters turned up to support the abolishment of the toll charge, which was considered a Valentine’s Day gift not only to road users heading to Kuala Lumpur but also for the 30,000 residents of nearby Taman Medan and Kampung Dato’ Haron.

However, PKR’s Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Mohd Talha said the Government must also abolish toll on the opposite side of the highway, heading towards Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya.

“The problem is there will still be traffic congestion at peak hours on the Taman Medan and Kampung Dato Harun side (coming from Kuala Lumpur),” she said when contacted yesterday.

Haniza added that road users exiting via Kampung Dato Haron would still have to pay toll to go to Kuala Lumpur since they would have to pay on the Subang Jaya-bound side first before making a U-turn.

She said Taman Medan PKR would continue to fight for the other toll charges to be abolished.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, who heads the DAP team tasked to scrutinise toll concessionaire agreements, said that he welcomed the abolition of the toll at PJS2.

The concern is whether the Government has to pay compensation and if it needs to, the amount should be scrutinised and it should be minimal, he said.

Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said that while the move is good, the reason for the move should be made known.

It would be unfair if the concessionaire is losing money and the Government has to compensate, he said.

Fomca’s stand is that there should be no toll charges for roads because they are common property and the country has the funds to develop these social services, he said.

Friday February 13, 2009
Banks lower interest rates and penalty for late payment
By FLORENCE A. SAMY and NURBAITI HAMDAN

PETALING JAYA: Credit card interest rates and penalty fees are going down.

Cardholders who pay at least the minimum amount promptly over 12 consecutive months (Tier-1) will pay 13.5% in annual interest from March 31, from the present 15%.

For those who pay promptly for at least 10 consecutive months (Tier-II), the interest rate will be 16%, down from 17%.

For those who do not fall into both these categories (Tier-III), the interest rate will be 17.5%, a minimal 0.5% reduction from 18%.

The present minimum late payment fee of RM10, or 1% of the total outstanding balance will also be reduced to RM5, and the RM100 maximum fee cut to RM75.

ABM chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Hamidy Abdul Hafiz, who announced the changes in a statement yesterday, said banks “have listened” to encourage good repayment habits and instil financial discipline.

“Existing local credit card charges are already among the lowest in Asia, which range from 18% to 42% elsewhere in the region. “We hope the latest measures will motivate credit card holders to diligently make at least the monthly minimum payment of 5% of their total outstanding balance promptly,’’ he added.

Sunday Star front-paged consumers rallying for credit card interest rates to be reduced to help them get out of debt.

There are 10.3 million cardholders in the country with total debt standing at RM22.8bil as of December last year.

“The reductions in interest rates should give rise to savings for all credit cardholders to better enable them to make the minimum payment.

“It is also envisaged that more Tier-I cardholders can now afford to plan to settle their outstanding amount in full every month,” Abdul Hamidy added.

He said the different incremental reduction in interest rates of 1.5% between Tier-III and Tier-II and 2.5% between Tier-II and Tier-I would also encourage prudent repayment habits and instil strong personal finance management.

“The revisions not only demonstrate a reasonable, responsive and dynamic Malaysian financial system but are also in line with the underpinning principle of the tiered interest rate scheme introduced last year, that is to encourage good repayment habits and financial discipline,” he added.

Credit risk costs, he added, was expected to climb in a worsening economic environment, but banks would be closely monitoring the situation in the months ahead.

“The public must still exercise great caution and control over personal spending and live within one’s means,” he advised.

Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said although the reduced interest rates would help cardholders who had outstanding balances, “the numbers are still toosmall.”

“Muhammad Sha’ani suggested that banks allow cardholders to reschedule loans by converting their credit card balances to term loans with a 10% interest rate.

NST Online » Local News
2009/02/14
Don't be fooled by disclaimers
By Lydia Gomezlegomez@nst.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Who says that "goods sold are not returnable", "deposits are non-refundable", or "once broken considered sold"?
According to the National Consumer Complaints Centre, the public should not be fooled by these disclaimers which are not based on the law.

Its chief executive, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah, said they were unlawful and should not be displayed on receipts or within shops.

The centre received 1,500 complaints last year on warranty and guarantee issues.

"The consumer has several laws to protect him from traders and retailers who do not take responsibility for their products.
"It is wrong to exclude warranties and guarantees for goods and services rendered."

He said the culture of placing such disclaimers was more of a case of "follow the leader".

"Traders just follow this practice without knowing that there are laws against it.

"It creates an impression that they can deny buyers the right to have their money back or items replaced."

Shaani said it was only when the law was pointed out to them did they realise that it was unlawful to have disclaimers in their shops and on receipts.

"When consumers read notices like this, they just follow them.

"In actual fact, when they adhere to it, they are losing out on their right to not buy sub-standard products, especially in cases of automobiles, hand phones and electrical goods."

The problem also extended to misleading advertisements, delays in warranty services, unavailable spare parts and parking lots.

"Parking lot operators are offering a service and the consumer is paying for it.

"They cannot make claims like 'park at your own risk'. If there is theft or a break in, they should be responsible."

He traced the problem back to the lack of awareness and enforcement by authorities.

Muhammad said there were ethical guidelines for traders which have not been promoted.

"Nobody has the right to hold deposits paid.

"Consumers should ask the service provider to justify why money has been forfeited.

"It is not easy for the authorities to track down all these traders, but they can send them circulars."

NCCC complaints manager Yesotha Balakrishnan said in many cases, the fault was not solely with traders, but with manufacturers as well.

Many retailers, when approached by officers from NCCC, claimed that they were not given warranties by manufacturers which made it "acceptable" not to provide customers the same protection.

"They have not even heard of it. In the present economic crisis, people are looking for cheaper goods and these traders should stick to quality standards.

"We have had cases where engines of brand new cars fall off, electrical items exploding and hand phones not returned after being sent for repair."

She said electrical goods had to be certified by Sirim.

"But if you buy a kettle and it bursts the first time you use it, do you just go back and ask for a replacement?

"If these standards are taken seriously, the whole batch should be recalled."

NCCC manager Shashi Kumar Nagesvaran said it was unlawful for retailers not to take responsibility for defects and malfunctioning goods as they were also responsible for the buyer's safety.

But what happens if the disclaimer notice has been signed by the consumer?

"They can still demand a warranty or guarantee because that notice is not valid by law.

"The consumer can take the manufacturer to the Consumer Claims Tribunal and the responsible party can be fined."

Thursday February 12, 2009
Electricity tariff down by 2.5%
By SIM LEOI LEOI

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians will enjoy cheaper electricity from next month.

Some 5.2 million domestic users and households can expect a 2.54% reduction in electricity tariffs, while commercial and industrial users will see cuts of 2.7% to 5%. The Government also announced the reduction of gas prices for industrial use of between 32% and 35%.

On average, the price of electricity will come down to 31.31 sen per kilowatt hour from 32.5 sen previously.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Mansor said the electricity rates would be reviewed again on July 1, and subsequently every six months, to reflect the global price of gas and coal.

“We hope this reduction will benefit all users, particularly those in the industrial sector, and help lower their operational costs during the current economic crisis,” he said yesterday.

“For domestic users, the Government would have liked to reduce the electricity rates by a bigger margin. However, when we reviewed the electricity tariffs last July, we only allowed a slight increase despite the spiralling prices of oil and gas at that time.

“The reduction today will better reflect market prices. Our energy generation is also by coal, which has not shown any significant reduction in price.”

Shaziman said the price of coal was now US$85 (RM307.70) a tonne, up from US$75 (RM271.50) last July.

Shaziman said another reason for the lower than expected reduction was that the Government had decided to divert 100 million standard cubic feet per day’s supply of gas meant for the electricity sector to industries starting this year.

“This is meant to spur the economy as well as enhance investor confidence in Malaysia,” he said.

The reduction received mixed reactions from consumer groups. Most said the cut could have been lower. Fomca secretary-general Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah said the reduction was too small to make any significant impact.

Help consumers with easy loans, banks told

Published on: Thursday, February 12, 2009

Kuala Lumpur: Banks should take proactive measures to help boost consumers' confidence by providing easy term loans, overdraft facilities and other forms of flexible credit, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) said Wednesday.

Its secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said such credit availability would be useful, particularly to small businessmen intending to expand their businesses and those wanting to buy houses and motor vehicles or invest in the stock market.

He said there was sufficient liquidity in the banking system to allow such a move which would go a long way to create a positive ripple effect on the country's current economic situation.

Muhammad Shaani said at present small businesses and self-employed people were finding it difficult to obtain credit facilities from banks.

Banks, according to him, were placing too many conditions for these groups to obtain credit.

"We are not suggesting that banks should not be cautious or diligent in approving loans, but they could at least be more flexible and humane," he said.

Meanwhile, banking sources told Bernama that some financial institutions, including major banks, were already providing such facilities to existing customers and new account holders.

The sources said that most institutions were, however, waiting for the government to unveil the supplementary mini budget.

The government is expected to table in Parliament a special mini budget as an economic stimulus package soon.

It had announced a RM7 billion economic package last November which was being disbursed.

However, some economists and financial analysts were of the view that the effects from the package would take some time to be felt in the local economy.

This was because some of the projects to be undertaken under the package would take a year or two for gestation and to produce the desired results.

"We cannot wait for such a long period, what we need is something which can produce immediate contagious effect and give a boost to the sluggish economy in the shortest possible timeframe," said economist P.K. Chua of Majujaya Investors Bhd.

Freelance financial analyst Mohd Akmal Majid agreed with FOMCA that during an economic downturn, consumers' confidence should be enhanced so that they would not be afraid to spend.

"Once consumers are assured of job security and steady income, then they can begin confidently to spend and this will boost the economy," he said.- Bernama

Monday February 9, 2009
Shahrir: Cut in power rates will benefit all

JOHOR BARU: The people will benefit from the electricity tariff reduction as it would have an impact on everyone, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad.

He said a reduction would also help companies during this difficult period.

“It is the intention of the Government to transmit the benefit to everyone,” he said yesterday.

He was asked to comment on the announcement that electricity tariffs would be reduced between 5% and 10% from March 1.

Shahrir said it was inevitable that the tariffs come down as its pricing was linked to the price of medium fuel oil.

“We have to do it fast since the reduction is very steep.

“As crude oil price comes down, this also has to come down,” he said.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers said lower tariffs for industries and households would help manufacturers cope with the global economic crisis and the higher operational costs.

Its president Datuk Mustafa Mansur said members were glad that the Government had acted on its promise to help businesses cope with the slowdown.

“While we appreciate the Government’s move, we are still waiting for further an­­nouncements on the tariff changes before commenting further,” he said.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Asso­ciations (Fomca), however, felt that the proposed tariff reduction would not result in significant savings for consumers.

Its secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said that an average family that did not use a lot of electrical appliances and spent less than RM100 monthly for electricity would just save a few ringgit with the reduced tariff.

He said the savings were not significant enough for consumers but felt that if electricity was too cheap it might encourage wastage.

RENCANA UTAMA
6/2/2009

Pengguna semakin sedar

Pengguna perlu sentiasa peka dan berhati-hati serta tidak mudah terpedaya dengan tipu-helah peniaga, terutama dalam keadaan kegawatan ekonomi sekarang.

"VOKALIS kumpulan Def Gab C, Ashed menunjukkan laporan yang dibuatnya kepada Persatuan Pengguna mengenai burger berkulat di Kuala Lumpur. – Gambar hiasan"

KERAP kali kita membaca berita penipuan yang dilakukan oleh segelintir peniaga ke atas pengguna.

Pelbagai helah juga digunakan untuk memperdaya pengguna, antaranya menawarkan potongan harga atau pemberian hadiah percuma.

Namun di sebalik pendedahan yang dibuat media, masih ada lagi pengguna yang berjaya 'digula-gulakan' peniaga sehingga membuat pembelian yang tidak perlu atau terpaksa membayar harga yang tinggi.

Justeru, pengguna perlu sentiasa peka dan berhati-hati dan tidak mudah terpedaya dengan tipu-helah peniaga, terutama dalam keadaan kegawatan ekonomi sekarang.

Pengguna juga perlu berani menggunakan hak mereka untuk tampil membuat aduan jika menyedari diri telah diperdaya atau produk yang dibeli kurang berkualiti.

Dewasa ini terdapat pelbagai saluran untuk pengguna membuat aduan. Antaranya ialah Pusat Khidmat Aduan Pengguna Nasional dan Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia (TTPM) serta Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna.

Aduan meningkat

Laporan Tahunan 2007 NCCC menunjukkan peningkatan 33 peratus jumlah aduan yang diterima pada 2007 iaitu 24,873 berbanding 2006 (18,345).

Sepuluh aduan tertinggi diterima pada 2007 ialah terhadap pemaju perumahan (2,076), jualan langsung (1,933), pendidikan tinggi swasta (1,856), perbadanan pengurusan (1,739), telekomunikasi (1,721), produk kurang bermutu (1,519), jualan murah (1,410), pengangkutan awam (1,254), institusi kewangan (1,044) dan pasar raya hiper (975).

Mengulas kenaikan itu, Ketua Eksekutif NCCC, Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah berkata, sebahagian besar adalah hasil kesedaran pengguna tentang hak mereka untuk menuntut ganti rugi atau pun pembaikan apabila tidak berpuas hati dengan barang atau perkhidmatan yang diperoleh.

"Meskipun hebahan tentang perkhidmatan NCCC masih kurang dan terhad kerana kekangan sumber dan dana tetapi majoriti pengguna yang menghubungi pusat itu memperoleh maklumat selepas melayari Internet untuk mencari saluran bagi mengutarakan masalah mereka," katanya.

Beliau berkata, trend membuat aduan kepada NCCC dijangka terus meningkat.

"Melihat statistik 2008 yang sedang dikumpul, sehingga Oktober tahun itu, jumlah aduan melebihi 20 peratus bagi tempoh yang sama pada 2007," kata Muhammad Sha'ani sambil menyatakan Laporan Tahunan 2008 NCCC dijangka dikeluarkan pada penghujung Mac ini.

E-aduan KPDNHEP

Di bawah kementerian, terdapat beberapa saluran untuk pengguna membuat aduan termasuk menggunakan sistem eAduan menerusi laman web kementerian.

Sistem yang beroperasi sejak 14 Jun 2004 itu membolehkan pengguna menghantar terus aduan kepada kementerian, dan pengadu kemudian boleh menghubungi KPDNHEP jika tidak menerima maklum balas dalam masa tiga hari bekerja.

Menurut Pengarah Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pengguna kementerian, Dr. Mohd. Mokhtar Tahar, sehingga 16 Disember 2008, pihaknya menerima 10,385 aduan berbanding 8,879 pada 2007 dan 6,350 pada 2006.

"Peningkatan jumlah aduan menunjukkan pengguna di negara ini sudah tahu menggunakan hak mereka untuk membuat aduan dan ke mana hendak menyalurkan aduan itu," katanya.

Beliau berkata, sekiranya aduan yang diterima adalah untuk tindakan agensi lain di bawah kementerian itu, pihaknya akan mengemukakan aduan itu kepada pihak yang berkenaan.

Katanya, susulan akan dibuat untuk melihat tindakan yang telah diambil ke atas aduan tersebut.

ADUAN terhadap pemaju perumahan yang gagal menyiapkan rumah mengikut jadual merupakan yang tertinggi dalam Laporan Tahunan 2007 NCCC. – Gambar hiasan

Impak kesedaran

Kesedaran kepenggunaan dalam kalangan rakyat negara ini sudah tentu akan memberi impak ke atas peniaga dan pengeluar barang tempatan.

Seperti kata Muhammad Sha'ani, golongan berkenaan akan terdorong untuk menjadi lebih bertanggungjawab dengan menambah baik amalan pemasaran dan perniagaan mereka.

"Mereka juga akan sedar tentang tanggungjawab serta had kebebasan dari segi pernyataan tawaran dalam iklan dan bahan promosi," jelasnya.

Dalam masa yang sama, kata beliau, peniaga juga sudah tentu akan meningkatkan kemampuan untuk menarik pelanggan dengan bukan sahaja menawarkan perkhidmatan yang mesra pelanggan tetapi juga barang yang bermutu.

Menurutnya, peniaga dan pengeluar barangan juga mungkin terpanggil untuk mewujudkan saluran pengendalian aduan pengguna mereka sendiri berhubung perkhidmatan pelanggan dan mekanisme menangani pembaikan dan tebus ganti.

Bagaimanapun, di sebalik pelbagai saluran aduan yang ada dan supaya 'nasi tidak menjadi bubur', sewajarnyalah masyarakat pengguna negara ini mengamalkan sikap bijak berbelanja.

Peniaga yang sudah tentu mahu mengaut keuntungan akan melakukan apa sahaja untuk melariskan jualan barang atau perkhidmatan mereka.

Justeru, pengguna perlu terus mengamalkan sikap bijak berbelanja dan 'beringat sebelum kena' dan 'berjimat sebelum habis'. - Bernama

04-02-2009: Cash vouchers for low-income group suggested

KUALA LUMPUR: The government should introduce retail purchase vouchers as cash assistance for low-income group of Malaysians under its second economic stimulus plan, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah suggested yesterday.

He said that the vouchers could be exchanged for daily basic neccessities like milk, sugar, oil and rice.

“This would help increase the spending power of consumers and also help to stimulate the retail trade,” he told Bernama here.

Last November, the government unveiled a RM7 billion economic package to help the country cope with the present economic crisis. A second package is expected to be announced soon.

Muhammad Shaani said such vouchers were also widely being used in Thailand and Taiwan.

Fomca’s other suggestion was to increase fuel subsidy for public transport operators and cut down on fares, he added

This he pointed out would help operators who were burdened with increasing operational costs and provide savings for consumers.

Muhammad Shaani felt that the proposal to increase the public transportation fares should be shelved for the time being, adding that the existing mechanics to manage subsidy should be fine-tuned and with additional allocations for this sector.

The subsidy for the operators should be tied down with their level of service and this should be monitored by a committee under the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s department.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Retail Chain Association, in welcoming the cash voucher scheme, suggested that the vouchers should be confined to the purchase of locally manufactured goods.

Its secretary-general, Nelson Kwok, said by doing this it would serve a dual purpose in that it would help the retailer as well as the local manufacturer.

He hoped an efficient and speedy system to distribute the vouchers could be devised.

He also suggested that the government could assist retail shop owners to lower rental and electricity charges.

“If our members can reduce their operational costs, we can then pass this savings to the consumers by lowering prices,” he said.

On employment in the retail sector, Nelson said priority was still given to Malaysians.

“However, we regret that the locals are not keen to work in the retail sector and we are forced to take in foreigners,” he claimed. — Bernama

February 04, 2009 14:57 PM

More Consumers 'Flexing' Their Muscles

By Melati Mohd Ariff

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) - News on unscrupulous traders resorting to various tricks and gimmicks as well as gifts and other 'sweeteners' to fleece unsuspecting consumers is nothing new.

Despite the media highlighting these scams and ploys, many consumers were still fleeced into buying goods that they really did not need or that at inflated price.

People should be willing to exercise their rights as consumers and there are several channels that they could submit their complaints through.

Among these are the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC), Consumer Claims Tribunal and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

MORE COMPLAINTS

According to the NCCC, there were 33 per cent more complaints, at 24,873 for 2007 as compared to 18,345 the year before.

The highest number of complaints for 2007 was against housing developers at 2,076 followed by direct selling (1,933), private high education institutions (1,856), management organisations (1,739), telecommunications (1,721), inferior quality products (1,519), cheap sale (1,410), public transport (1,254), financial institutions (1,044) and hypermarkets (975).

On the higher number of complaints, NCCC Chief Executive Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said this was due to the consumers' awareness over their rights over the dissatisfaction in the price and quality of goods and services.

"Despite the lack of publicity on the NCCC, the majority of consumers contacted the NCCC to air their complaints after getting information on the Internet," he told Bernama here recently.

He said the trend is expected to pick up.

"Judging on the number of statistics for 2008 which is still being compiled as of October for that year, the number of complaints is 20 per cent higher for the same period in 2007," he said, adding that the report for 2008 is expected to be ready by end of March.

He said the NCCC would also boost its efficiency to shorten the time taken to act on each of the complaints to about five days.

For this, the information communication technology (ICT) for the NCCC personnel handling the complaints would be improved apart from being provided the exposure on the legal points relevant to the issues, he said.

OTHER COMPLAINTS

For the Consumer Complaints Tribunal, the highest number of complaints the agency received for 2008 was that on the 'scratch-and-win' and SMS scams that totalled 1,288 out of 7,440 cases.

Tribunal Chairman Rungit Singh, quoted in recent news reports, said most of the companies involved in the scratch-and-win scam deployed strategies that confused the public.

He said the companies set aside purportedly lucrative prizes to lure people to participate in their scams.

Other complaints received by the tribunal were on purchases of cars (412), handphones (336), tourism (327), time-sharing packages (241), workshops (223), high education institutions (85) as well as haj and umrah packages (82).

E-COMPLAINT

For the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, the 'e-Complain' has been available on the ministry's website since June 14, 2004.

Via this mechanism, consumers could file their complaints direct to the ministry and they could contact the ministry if there is no respond within three days.

The ministry's Consumer Affairs Division Director Dr Mohd Mokhtar Tahar, said as of Dec 16, 2008, there were 10,385 complaints as compared to 8,879 in 2007 and 6,350 the year before.

"The increase shows that consumers in the country are now more aware and willing to exercise their rights. They also know where to file their complaints," he said.

AWARENESS

The rise in consumer awareness is definitely going to have an impact among the traders and producers of local goods.

As Muhammad Sha'ani put it, this has made the traders and producers be more responsible when offering their products and services.

"They (traders) would be more responsible with what they offer in advertisements and promotions," he said.

This means the traders would improve their attitude that translates into better-quality goods and services.

According to Muhammad Sha'ani this could prompted the traders and producers to set up their own channel to deal with complaints in relation to their goods and services.

-- BERNAMA

Cash Vouchers For Low Income Group Suggested

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama)--The government should introduce retail purchase vouchers as cash assistance for low income group of Malaysians under its second economic stimulus plan, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) secretary-general, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah, suggested today.

He said that the vouchers could be exchanged for daily basic neccessities like milk, sugar, oil and rice.

"This would help increase the spending power of consumers and also help to stimulate the retail trade," he told Bernama here.

Last November, the government unveiled a RM7 billion economic package to help the country cope with the present economic crisis. A second package is expected to be announced soon.

Muhammad said such vouchers were also widely being used in Thailand and Taiwan.

FOMCA's other suggestion was to increase fuel subsidy for public transport operators and cut down on fares, he added

This he pointed out would help operators who were burdened with increasing operational costs and provide savings for consumers.

Muhammad felt that the proposal to increase the public transportation fares be shelved for the time being.

The mechanics to manage subsidy already in existence should be fine-tuned and with additional allocations for this sector.

The subsidy for the operators should be tied down with their level of service and this should be monitored by a committee under the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's department.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Retail Chain Association in welcoming the cash voucher scheme suggested that the vouchers should be confined to the purchase of locally manufactured goods.

Its secretary-general, Nelson Kwok, said by doing this it would serve a dual purpose in that it would help the retailer as well as the local manufacturer.

He hoped an efficient and speedy system to distribute the vouchers could be devised.

He also suggested that the government could assist retail shop owners to lower rental and electricity charges.

"If our members can reduce their operational costs, we can then pass this savings to the consumers by lowering prices," he said.

On employment in the retail sector, Nelson said priority was still given to Malaysians.

"However, we regret that the locals are not keen to work in the retail sector and we are forced to take in foreigners," he claimed.

-- BERNAMA

NST Online » NewsBreak
2009/02/03
Retail purchase vouchers proposal to help low income group - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Tues:

The government should introduce retail purchase vouchers as cash assistance for low income group of Malaysians under its second economic stimulus plan, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) secretary-general, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah, suggested today.
He said that the vouchers could be exchanged for daily basic neccessities like milk, sugar, oil and rice.

“This would help increase the spending power of consumers and also help to stimulate the retail trade,” he told Bernama here.

Last November, the government unveiled a RM7 billion economic package to help the country cope with the present economic crisis. A second package is expected to be announced soon.

Muhammad said such vouchers were also widely being used in Thailand and Taiwan.
FOMCA’s other suggestion was to increase fuel subsidy for public transport operators and cut down on fares, he added.

This, he pointed, out would help operators who were burdened with increasing operational costs and provide savings for consumers.

Muhammad felt that the proposal to increase the public transportation fares be shelved for the time being.

The mechanics to manage subsidy already in existence should be fine-tuned and with additional allocations for this sector.

The subsidy for the operators Unit of the Prime Minister’s department.

Monday February 2, 2009
Raise fuel subsidy for transport operators

WHILE the Malaysian Government is planning its second economic stimulus package, it should consider ways to increase the spending power of consumers in the low-income group.

Many countries in the region are giving coupon vouchers as cash assistance to consumers.

The proposal to increase the public transport fare to address the rising cost of operation must be revised to consider increasing fuel subsidy as a solution at current situation.

Malaysia can increase fuel subsidy to public transport operators and slash the fares.

This will help the operators burdened with increasing operational cost, as well as provide savings to consumers in the face of rising costs of daily needs and sustain consumer consumption.

Also the mechanism to manage the fuel subsidy is already in existence and the Government only need to allocate the funds required.

The subsidy must be provided together with a timeline for the operators to comply with the service level set by the Committee on the Improvement of Public Transport under the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department over the next three years.

This will achieve the three-prong target of priming the economy, providing part of the social safety net and improving public transport, which may not happen with increased fares.

MUHAMMAD SHA’ANI ABDULLAH,
Secretary General,
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association.