2011 – Page 2 – Consumers Association Penang

Malaysia still far from achieving Road Safety Plan goals

admin November 11, 2011 0 Comments

Since 2007 the behavior of commercial vehicle drivers has been a major issue, and continues to remain so. The result is that bus accidents continually haunt Malaysians, with two bus accidents occurring in Johor within 24 hours of each other recently. In both cases the blame has been put on the drivers for over-speeding. Commercial vehicle drivers play a key role in providing safe journeys for...

Act immediately on Reggae chain of hostels

admin November 9, 2011 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang today calls on the Commissioner of Tourism to immediately check whether license has been issued to the controversial Reggae chain of hostels in Penang and Kuala Lumpur and if registered, to charge the registered owner or proprietor for contravening the Tourism Industry Act 1992 and if not then to revoke their registration immediately. The Local Councils should...

Scratch-and-win scams: blame everybody else!

admin October 25, 2011 0 Comments

Scratch and win and other scams have been going on in the country for many years now. The most distressful development of this mode of openly cheating consumers is the standard response from the authorities: The victims are to be blamed for being gullible. While this is true to a fair extent, what bothers consumers is, why is such an illegal activity continuing to flourish in all parts of the...

Critical illness insurance policy puzzles consumers

admin October 20, 2011 0 Comments

One of the problems with the critical illness policy is that it is being sold by agents who give policyholders the wrong impression that the coverage is wider than it really is. (A critical illness policy is one that pays out a lump sum upon confirmation that the policyholder has been diagnosed with one of the illnesses or conditions covered under the policy) For example, the agent assures the...

Ban trawl fishing now to prevent the collapse of our fisheries

admin October 12, 2011 0 Comments

Malaysian fisheries are facing a collapse as the plunder and mismanagement of our fisheries resources over the decades are depleting our fish stocks. According to the World Fish data there is a decline of 80-90 % of fish in our waters. One of the main culprits is trawling, which involves dragging huge, heavy nets along the sea floor. Large metal plates and rubber wheels attached to the nets move...

Civil society forum calls on the Government of Malaysia to stop its nuclear power development plan

admin October 11, 2011 0 Comments

Civil society organisations from Japan, South Korea, Australia and Malaysia called on the Government of Malaysia to stop its nuclear power development plan. The groups said they are convinced beyond doubt that nuclear power has no place in Malaysia’s quest to chart a sustainable energy future. The groups are Friends of the Earth Japan (FOE-Japan), Citizen Nuclear Information Centre, Fukushima...

Independent inquiry needed for fatal crane accident in Penang

admin October 7, 2011 0 Comments

An independent inquiry is urgently needed to assess the role and functions of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), besides reviewing the Occupational Safety and Health Act to ensure overall safety, health and welfare of all workers and public. This call is made by the Consumers’ Association of Penang in view of the recent spate of accidents involving heavy machineries. ...

Issue 41-3 Sep-Oct 2011

admin October 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.

Re-registration of commercial vehicles, a necessary hassle

admin September 30, 2011 0 Comments

Whether the re-registration exercise of commercial vehicles is a source of contention to transport operators or not it is vital to compile proper records which has hitherto been messy under the Commercial Vehicles Licensing board. The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) should go ahead as planned. Ever since the vehicle re-registeration exercise was started in May there has been endless...

Ban the use of carbide gas to ripen fruits