2010 – Page 3 – Consumers Association Penang

More genuine efforts urgently needed to curb smoking

admin October 11, 2010 0 Comments

Seventy sen more for a packet of cigarettes. So what has this move done since it was implemented earlier this month? Has it got a lot of people to give up this evil, unhealthy and deadly habit? Or is it just earning the government more money? Our contention, from years of studying the issue, is that 70sen more is not going to make any difference to the pocket of the smoker. It will, of course,...

Another wake up call for road safety

admin October 11, 2010 0 Comments

Malaysian transport authorities received another wake up call in the form of an express bus accident on Sunday. This is a clear indication such tragedies will continue unless serious measures are put into place without further delays and flip-flops. As reported by the victims, the bus driver was speeding. This shows that bus drivers will continue to flout the law as long as nothing concrete is...

Asbestos: The deadly, silent killer

admin October 9, 2010 0 Comments

In recent weeks, concerns over asbestos poisoning have been raised in our local print media. And rightly so! This naturally occurring fibrous mineral, with fire and heat resistant properties, has been recognised as a serious threat to life in the Western countries and where possible, its use is avoided. People who work with asbestos are at serious risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis,...

Abolish subsidies for sustainable water supply and water wastage reduction

admin October 7, 2010 0 Comments

CAP is against any water supply subsidies that are being given to consumers in Penang and Malaysia if we are to become a water-efficient nation. We are appalled to learn that the domestic water subsidy in Penang had reached the level of RM41 million last year. Without appreciating the true value of water, consumers will not use water wisely. Cheap water is not the solution. If water is too...

No to medical advertising

admin October 5, 2010 0 Comments

We have said it before, and we have to say it again, since the Government has no rationale at all for allowing the medical profession and their institutions, whether general or specialist clinics or private medical centres, to advertise. We see absolutely no sense in Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai’s statement on Sept 24 that the liberalisation of the guidelines under the Medicines...

Issue 40-4 Sept-Oct 2010

admin October 1, 2010 0 Comments

U N C O M M O N E X P O S E S , V I E W S & W I S D O M Bimonthly Paper of Consumers Association of Penang We have stories which you will not find in other papers -- hard-hitting stuff with no holds barred, for we name the brands, companies or people in our exposes, unlike the commercial papers which are dependent on companies for their advertisements or are owned by...

Malaysian nuclear programme lacks genuine public consultation

admin September 23, 2010 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is very disturbed to read that the government has already decided on the proposed nuclear energy programme as it is included as one of the 131 entry-point projects (ETP) of the Economic Transformation Programme unveiled to the public on Tuesday at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). We recall that Prime Minister...

Norwegian Pension Fund’s divestment of Samling Global Limited an embarrassment

admin September 15, 2010 0 Comments

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) welcomes the announcement last month by the Norwegian Ministry of Finance to exclude Malaysian-based Samling Global Limited from its Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) investment portfolio. The pension fund is described as Europe's largest institutional investor that held 2,792 billion kronor (approximately RM1.5 trillion) in international stocks and bonds as of...

Stay away from soft drinks

admin September 9, 2010 0 Comments

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) calls upon the Malaysians to stay away from sweetened soft drinks which have proven to be a threat to our health. Soft drinks contain approximately 6 to 12 teaspoons of sugar and the number of these drinks being consumed by Malaysians is increasing daily. According to a recent news report 1,000 canned drinks are consumed every minute in Malaysia. Due to...

Say “no” to animal experimentation

admin September 6, 2010 0 Comments

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is part of the coalition group comprising the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) and the SPCA. We refer to the meeting of the four Malaysian ministries over the proposed building of an animal-testing laboratory in Malacca. SAM is of the view that before opting for more such facilities, there...

Consumers Association Penang

Year: 2010