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What is the outcome of discussions between the Ministry of Information and MCMC with Astro?

admin August 10, 2011 0 Comments

Astro has already started billing subscribers with the new rates despite the many objections raised by subscribers and Parliament. Contradicting statements were made by various authorities leaving subscribers confused. Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has been inundated with calls from aggrieved subscribers. In early June 2011, Astro announced its plan to revise the monthly subscription...

Issue 41-2 Jul-Aug 2011

admin August 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.

The appalling state of our commercial vehicles

admin July 27, 2011 0 Comments

Are our commercial vehicles really safe even after undergoing mandatory safety vehicle inspections? Recent media reports have cast doubts over safety inspections and exposed the appalling state of our commercial vehicles. The directive from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to operators of commercial vehicles to re-register their vehicles has opened a can of worms. It is becoming...

Towards toxic-free and chemical-free agriculture

admin July 26, 2011 0 Comments

Modern agricultural practices, with the introduction of monocrop cultivation and high yielding varieties in food crops has meant escalating use of pesticides due to increased susceptibility to diseases and pests. It is time for us to shift towards more sustainable models in agriculture which are ecologically sound and economically viable otherwise we will not only damage our natural resources...

The kitchen is the heart of our home

admin July 25, 2011 0 Comments

As food for the family is prepared in the kitchen it has an important role to play in the lives of families. Nothing warms the heart of a husband like the smell of dinner cooking as he walks in from a hard day’s work. Besides, having a meal together can bring the family closer. Unfortunately times have changed, cooking and eating together among family members is no longer the norm for many...

Stop Lynas: Malaysians protest at corporate HQ in Sydney

admin July 20, 2011 0 Comments

July 5, 2011 - A delegation of 12 Malaysians held a protest outside the Australian company Lynas' HQ in Sydney against its construction of the world’s largest rare earth refinery in the industrial estate of Gebeng, near the port of Kuantan. There is growing opposition because the refinery will leave highly toxic and radioactive behind. A previous rare earths refinery in Bukit Merah (operated...

No confidence in IAEA review team report on Lynas project

admin July 12, 2011 0 Comments

CAP and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) are disappointed that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has given the go ahead to the proposed Lynas rare earth processing plant in Gebeng by concluding that the review team was not able to identify any non-compliance with international radiation safety standards. The team had nevertheless identified 10 issues which it considered that improvements...

Asbestos: Malaysia should make sure ban stays in place

admin June 24, 2011 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang called for a complete ban on all forms of asbestos way back in 2001. This was due to the rising number of cases of asbestos-related diseases due to the intensive use of asbestos in the past and the fact that some countries, including Malaysia, continue to use chrysotile. In a recent consultation with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) on 28...

Lynas RIA is full of holes

admin June 21, 2011 0 Comments

The Radiological Impact assessment (RIA) for the Lynas plant which was made available for public viewing on 30 May 2011 has cast serious doubts on the whole approval procedure and due diligence process. Firstly, the RIA made public recently was done in June 2010. However, it made references to an earlier version approved in 2008. Why was the RIA approved in 2008 before the revised version was...

Astro’s monopoly has short-changed Malaysian TV viewers

admin June 20, 2011 0 Comments

Malaysians are gullible enough to be taken for a long ride by Astro, as the government has given Astro too much leeway. This has caused Malaysian TV viewers to be short-changed and at the same time snuffed out other operators from entering the market and providing better service. Such a phenomenon is only seen in Malaysia, with only one pay TV operator given exclusive licence for 20 years. The...

Consumers Association Penang

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Mak Fai