2011 – Consumers Association Penang

We need a value-based, not a market-based schooling system

admin December 30, 2011 0 Comments

The Malaysian Education System does not need just a marginal review but a complete change from market-centered schooling to value-based and nature-centric education. Let us see this illustration. Once there lived a farmer with a few chicks on his farm. The mother hen would go in search of worms and the baby chicks would follow. The self search with a proper guidance gave them self confidence and...

Penang Forum 4: Development and Good Governance

admin December 18, 2011 0 Comments

The Steering Committee of the Penang Forum of which CAP is a member of, is holding a public forum at the Caring Society Complex along Jalan Utama on 18 December from 9.00am to 5.00pm. The Penang Forum is an informal network of some 40 Penang-based NGOs and concerned individuals who came together in April 2008 to chart a possible way forward for Penang. After the 2008 event, a Penang Forum...

Call for total ban and curb the smuggling of Paraquat

admin December 13, 2011 0 Comments

CAP calls upon the government to ban paraquat, the toxic weed killer. We are concerned to learn that paraquat is being smuggled into the country and it is more toxic as the concentration level of the smuggled weed killer is higher; more than 40 percent. Paraquat is very toxic by inhalation, toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed. The high toxicity and lack of antidote leads to serious ill...

The high price of materialism

admin December 8, 2011 0 Comments

Psychologist Tim Kasser discusses how the culture of consumerism undermines our well-being. When people buy into the ever-present marketing messages that "the good life" is "the goods life," they not only use up Earth's limited resources, but they are less happy and less inclined toward helping others. The animation both lays out the problems of excess materialism and points toward solutions...

An effective product recall mechanism badly needed

admin December 7, 2011 0 Comments

Many millions of cars, food and dangerous consumer products are recalled overseas every year. But we hardly see recalls in Malaysia. Why? Recall of products to protect consumers from risk of injury or death is a common phenomenon in Japan, USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. Special agencies dealing with recalls provide consumers and businesses with detailed information on product safety,...

Agricultural, home and health solutions at CAP’s Go Natural Fair 2011

admin December 5, 2011 0 Comments

Welcome to the Consumers’ Association of Penang’s “Go Natural Fair” 2011. From 9 to 11 December at the Botanic Gardens, Penang, we will hold a three-day fair to introduce to you life sustaining techniques and methods for organic produce and home solutions for your gardens and your personal health for a greener, healthier and safer future for you and your families. The fair will...

Issue 41-4 Nov-Dec 2011

admin December 1, 2011 0 Comments

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 poltical parties. You can expect our views and perspectives to be different, for we are on the side of consumers.

Teluk Bahang Escape Theme Park Resort: Model or mockery?

admin November 21, 2011 0 Comments

Penang Island is facing environmental rape as it faces widespread damage because of uncontrolled development resulting in barren hill slopes and erosion taking place at hillsides that are being developed. The rapid development in Penang has brought a toll to the island’s environment and disdain to residents who have to face more environmental deterioration and traffic congestion. The latest...

Beauty salons – come out with laws not guidelines

admin November 14, 2011 0 Comments

In 2009 CAP had raised its concerns about the ugly side of beauty salons and the price one has to pay for beauty. We had asked the government to ban surgeries and other risky procedures at beauty salons. This call was made when there was a reported case of a death following a botched liposuction procedure – apparently as a result of allergic reaction to the anaesthetic that was administered...

Conquer obesity in the battle against diabetes