January 2026 – Page 3 – Consumers Association Penang

Malaysia Reviewing Asbestos Ban, Says Minister

Lai Cheng January 16, 2026 0 Comments

The government is aware of growing calls to ban asbestos and is reviewing the matter, with updates expected in the coming months, says Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. In a recent joint statement, Building and Wood Workers’ International, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Health and...

Lead With Peace, Love & Kindness

Lai Cheng January 15, 2026 0 Comments

Below is part of the lyrics from "Masters of War", a 1963 song by Bob Dylan. The song condemns masters of war and political leaders who advocate for conflict. Its message is still relevant in these times. The song’s timeless lyrics pierce through the hypocrisy of war profiteers. No amount of wealth can redeem a soul stained by violence and destruction. Humanity must lead with peace, love and...

Trees are Climate Machines

Lai Cheng January 14, 2026 0 Comments

The most powerful climate technology already exists – and we walk past it every day. A tree is nature’s climate machine – one that captures carbon, runs on sunlight, builds itself, and gives life in return. It grows on its own, supports wildlife, enriches soil, and sustains life across generations. A tree silently pulls carbon dioxide from the air and stores it safely. It cleans and cools...

REDUCE PLASTIC USE

Lai Cheng January 14, 2026 0 Comments

Reducing plastic use protects ecosystems, safeguards human health, and ensures a sustainable future for all. Small wins add up. Here are a few plastic-free tips to try. Bring your own plastic-free reusable cup for drinks on the go. Bring your own metal fork from home so that you can skip plastic utensils. Say no to receipts (they contain BPA, a toxic industrial chemical used in plastic...

Call for Transparency in Malaysia’s Highway Concession Agreements

Lai Cheng January 13, 2026 0 Comments

It has been almost forty years since Malaysia first introduced tolled roads as part of its national privatisation drive, and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is now calling on the government to declassify highway concession agreements as a step towards greater transparency in decision making. The shift towards tolled highways was driven primarily by practical and fiscal...

Soft Drinks Can Harm Your Liver

Lai Cheng January 12, 2026 0 Comments

Most people worry about alcohol damaging the liver – but according to scientists in China, excessive soda (i.e, soft drinks or fizzy drinks) consumption can be just as harmful… maybe even worse. Both regular and diet sodas significantly raise your risk of liver disease, says a new large-scale Chinese study. Scientists linked them to increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated...

The Blind Men and the Elephant

Lai Cheng January 12, 2026 0 Comments

A Story about Perspective In a parable, six blind men were challenged to describe an elephant accurately. To add to the challenge, each man was taken to the elephant alone and allowed to touch only one area of the animal. When they were asked to describe the elephant they each have a completely different perspective. One blind man grabs the tusk and says, “An elephant is like a spear!”...

Cane Scammers, CAP Urges Malaysian Government

Lai Cheng January 10, 2026 0 Comments

Malaysia should consider harsher punishments, including caning like Singapore’s recent law, to curb misuse of bank accounts and disrupt scam networks, say experts. Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader urged Malaysia to consider emulating Singapore’s move to impose caning on scammers, arguing that even if the immediate impact is felt mainly by low-level...

HOW SMOKING KILLS

Lai Cheng January 9, 2026 0 Comments

Every time you smoke a cigarette, toxic gases pass into your lungs, then into your bloodstream where they spread to every organ in your body. A cigarette is made using the tobacco leaf, which contains nicotine and a variety of other compounds. As the tobacco and compounds burn, they release thousands of dangerous chemicals, including over 40 known to cause cancer. Cigarette smoke contains the...

Nestle Issues Global Recall of Some Baby Formula Products Over Toxin Fears

Lai Cheng January 8, 2026 0 Comments

Nestle has issued a global recall of some baby formula products over concerns they contain a toxin which can cause food poisoning. The food and drink giant said specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were not safe to be fed to babies. The batches were sold across the world, Nestle said, and they potentially contain cereulide, which can trigger nausea and vomiting when...

Consumers Association Penang

Month: January 2026