Development EN – Page 7 – Consumers Association Penang

Towards a Fairer and More Sustainable Economic Future for Malaysia

Lai Cheng July 31, 2025 0 Comments

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) welcomes the government’s efforts to assist those in need during these challenging economic times, as outlined in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Special Speech on 23 July 2025. However, we stress that such initiatives should serve as short-term relief only, particularly in light of the rising cost of living, subsidy rationalisation,...

TACKLING LIGHT POLLUTION: A Growing Environmental and Health Concern

Soon Lian July 23, 2025 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) wishes to highlight an increasingly pressing issue: light pollution. Light pollution refers to excessive or misdirected artificial lighting that interferes with the natural darkness of the night sky. One of the most basic services provided by local governments is proper nighttime lighting. It plays an essential role in ensuring public safety and security...

CAP Calls for Vacancy Tax and Tighter Controls to Curb Property Speculation

Lai Cheng July 17, 2025 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) strongly supports the introduction of a vacancy tax on residential properties that are left unoccupied for extended periods. We believe this measure is urgently needed to address the deepening problems of property speculation and declining housing affordability in Malaysia. A vacancy tax typically applies to properties that remain vacant — unsold or...

Denmark Introduces Law to Protect Citizens from AI Deepfakes

Soon Lian July 11, 2025 0 Comments

Denmark is making history. In a bold step against the rising threat of AI deepfakes, the country is moving to give every citizen full copyright control over their face, voice, and body. Under the new law, anyone will have the legal right to demand takedowns of AI-generated replicas whether it’s a fake video, cloned voice, or digital impersonation. The legislation, backed across Denmark’s...

PLANNING FOR PROFIT, NOT PEOPLE: The Quiet Violence Destroying Our Neighbourhoods

Lai Cheng July 10, 2025 0 Comments

by Dr Shahridan Faiez The scene is heartbreakingly familiar. A neighbourhood, planted and nurtured over two or three decades, begins to truly flourish. The trees once no taller than a toddler now stretch wide and strong, offering shade and songbirds. Children run freely between playgrounds and front porches. The Makcik selling nasi lemak at the street corner knows your name, the...

68 Groups Urge Governments to Keep Investors’ Right to Sue Governments out of RCEP Trade Deal

Soon Lian July 8, 2025 0 Comments

Sixty-eight civil society organisations (CSOs) across a majority of the 15 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries* have signed a letter urging governments to maintain the exclusion of controversial Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) rules from the agreement. Malaysian CSOs endorsing this letter are the Consumers’ Association of Penang, Forum Kedaulatan...

“Capitalism has Looted the World, Solved No Problems”

Lai Cheng July 3, 2025 0 Comments

In 1991, Fidel Castro – former Prime Minister (1959-1976) and President (1976-2008) of Cuba, made the following comments about capitalism. The message is even more poignant today. “What has Capitalism resolved? It has solved no problems. It has looted the world. It has left us with all this poverty. It has created lifestyles and models of consumerism that are incompatible with reality. It...

“The East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum and UPOV 1991” – new book by TWN

Lai Cheng June 25, 2025 0 Comments

Southeast Asian countries are under growing pressure to adopt stricter laws that benefit developed countries at the expense of farmers’ rights and national priorities. The book *"The East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum and UPOV 1991"* exposes how Japan's efforts for regional harmonization aim to champion the adoption of UPOV 1991 – a rigid intellectual property system designed for...

Malaysia Too Hasty In Signing EFTA Trade Agreement

Lai Cheng June 24, 2025 0 Comments

CAP expresses deep disappointment over the Malaysian Government’s decision to rush into signing a trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland that together form the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on 23 June in Norway. The Government failed to address critical concerns raised in our Memorandum submitted earlier this month, based on the leaked text of the...

Tackling Malaysia’s Property Overhang in the Low-Cost Flats and Low-Medium Cost Apartment Sectors

Lai Cheng June 17, 2025 0 Comments

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is concerned about the persistent property overhang and the continued pursuit of further construction of both residential and commercial buildings. As of 2024, Malaysia’s residential property market remains under significant strain from a persistent property overhang, with 22,642 unsold completed units nationwide, valued at RM14.24 billion. The...

Consumers Association Penang

Category: Development EN