May 2026 – Page 3 – Consumers Association Penang

Netherlands Bans Fireworks to Protect People, Animals and the Environment

Lai Cheng May 11, 2026 0 Comments

In July 2025, the Dutch Parliament passed a law banning ordinary citizens from purchasing and setting off fireworks. The decision for the ban, set to take effect at the turn of the year 2026 to 2027, was made after many years of public debate surrounding safety, injuries, and environmental harm. This monumental step, driven by compassion and common sense, aims to protect animals and wildlife,...

CAP backs balanced enforcement for public housing integrity

Lai Cheng May 7, 2026 0 Comments

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) supports the Penang state government’s decision to evict ineligible tenants from public housing where there is clear evidence of violations or abuse of the terms and conditions under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR), administered by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. It must be clearly understood that PPR tenancies are contractual...

Why Plastic Bottled Water Has An Expiry Date

Lai Cheng May 6, 2026 0 Comments

Ever noticed that plastic bottled drinking water carries an expiry date? Pure water does not go bad. Why state a shelf life, you may wonder. Here’s what you should know. The expiration date on bottled water is mainly about the plastic bottle, not the water itself. Over time the plastic can slowly break down and allow small amounts of chemicals to leach into the water. This is especially so...

Humans Are Trashing The Planet

Lai Cheng May 5, 2026 0 Comments

"Every year, humans produce 300 million tonnes of plastic waste, including 11 million tonnes that eventually wind up in the ocean. By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean," warns the United Nations. Humanity has an enormous trash problem. According to reports, we produce 2 billion tons of trash a year. Nature produces zero. In the natural world, waste doesn’t exist. When a...

Strengthen Reliability and Accountability at KLIA

Lai Cheng May 4, 2026 0 Comments

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the government to investigate recurring disruptions at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), particularly those affecting the aerotrain and baggage handling systems. These incidents raise legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of maintenance and asset management practices. While such failures may indicate shortcomings in preventive...

ASBESTOS IS DEADLY – Awareness Saves Lives

Lai Cheng May 4, 2026 0 Comments

Asbestos is a very toxic and harmful mineral. All forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic to humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) eliminating asbestos use is the most effective way to prevent asbestos-related diseases. More than 70 countries have fully banned all types of asbestos due to the devastating health...

MOH’s Proposed Patent Linkage Guideline Risks Higher Medicine Prices and Delayed Access

Lai Cheng May 2, 2026 0 Comments

Malaysia stands at a critical juncture in ensuring access to affordable medicines. The government’s decision to cut the health budget by RM3.06 billion, together with a proposed move by the Ministry of Health, risks worsening the situation. In April, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) opened a public consultation on its proposed ‘Guideline on Implementation of Patent...

Consumers Association Penang

Month: May 2026