Lack of awareness remains a basic consumer problem

Kota Kinabalu: Most consumers in the country, especially youths, are not aware of their consumer rights under the law when they purchase an item or service in the market, said Inanam Assemblyman Datuk Johnny Goh.

He said the lack of this awareness remains a basic problem for consumers in the State and the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism views seriously such consumer issues which also concern youths in the State.

"Most consumers are also ignorant of the consumer protection efforts in this country that are designed to protect their rights such as National Consumer Affairs Council (MHEPK), the Advisory Council of the National Consumer Protection (MPPPK), Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism's Enforcement Division, government agencies, consumer affairs councils and consumer associations.

"As long as such awareness remains low among consumers, I feel the efforts of consumer movements and the Government to protect the rights of consumers and efforts of the Government to control inflation will remain unfinished." 

He said this during the Sustainable Consumerism Day organised by students from the Malaysian Skills Training Institute (Ilham) together with the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Sabah branch at Good Shepherd Hall, Menggatal, Saturday.

"It was such existing weaknesses in consumers that cause them to be easy victims of unscrupulous traders," said Goh.

He said many incidents have occurred which affected the rights and interests of consumers.
"These included the hoarding of goods in order to raise prices, lack of price tags which should have been displayed on items for sale, incomplete labelling of items, incorrect measurement or weights and counterfeit goods among others."

"As such, activities being organised which are capable of attracting the attention of youths are a good approach to provide them with the necessary consumerism education," he said.

Goh said the programme, which was designed to spread the message in the State, was also in line with the Prime Minister's 1Malaysia concept of "People First Performance Now."

Various activities were also held including consumerism video presentations, blood donation campaign, explorace activities, smart consumer exhibitions and lucky draws for the more than 100 trainees from Ilham and the public.

Also present at the event was Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Sabah branch assistant section head, Awang Hamidun B. Pagiran Tahir, and Ilham Director, Thonny Chee.


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