NATIONAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS CENTRE (NCCC) AND CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (CASE) COLLABORATE TO STRENGTHEN CROSS-BORDER CONSUMER PROTECTION
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The National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to enhance cooperation in handling cross-border consumer complaints between Malaysia and Singapore.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason, Chairman of NCCC, and Mr. Melvin Yong, President of CASE, in Kuala Lumpur. This landmark agreement establishes a dedicated mechanism to help consumers in both countries resolve disputes amicably when purchasing goods or services across borders.
Under this partnership, a consumer who experiences a dispute while shopping or transacting across the Causeway can now lodge a complaint with their home countryโs consumer body.
- Malaysian consumers with disputes against businesses in Singapore can file their complaints with NCCC, which will refer them to CASE for mediation
- Similarly, Singaporean consumers with disputes against Malaysian businesses can lodge their complaints with CASE, which will refer the case to NCCC for resolution
This cooperation provides consumers a more accessible, transparent, and efficient redress pathway, without the inconvenience of dealing directly with foreign systems.
Budi95 system gets thumbs up from Fomca
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PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are adapting well to the newly implemented Budi95 targeted fuel subsidy system, with most consumers expressing satisfaction with it, said the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).
Its CEO Saravanan Thambirajah said feedback from motorists after a month have been largely positive.
โThe overall response to Budi95 has been encouraging. Consumers are adjusting to the new quota system and the MyKad-based verification process is functioning smoothly in most cases.โ
Introduced to replace blanket fuel subsidies, Budi95 ensures that assistance reaches those who truly need it while curbing smuggling and misuse.
Most Malaysians now display greater awareness of their fuel usage. Many are planning travel more efficiently, and the quota has proven sufficient for personal and family needs for the vast majority.
Saravanan said Fomca strongly recommends retaining the 300-litre limit, which balances fairness, predictability and fiscal responsibility.
Fomca backs integrating welfare aid through MyKad, urges strong data safeguards
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KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) has welcomed the government's proposal to integrate all welfare and aid programmes into the MyKad system, describing it as a positive and timely step towards better governance.
"Centralising the data and delivery system can enhance efficiency, coordination, and accountability, ensuring that public assistance reaches those who truly need it," said secretary-general Dr Saravanan Thambirajah when reached by the New Straits Times.
Saravanan cautioned, however, that the system must be underpinned by strong data protection and privacy safeguards to prevent misuse or leaks of personal information.
"Consumers' personal and financial information must be kept secure at all times," he said, adding that while digital integration could bring convenience, it must not compromise trust or fairness.
Saravanan said the initiative could ease the burden faced by vulnerable groups who currently deal with excessive bureaucracy and complicated documentation when applying for aid, reducing administrative hurdles and emotional strain.
He added that integrating data from federal, state, and zakat institutions could also prevent overlapping assistance and ensure fairer resource distribution.
Read more: Fomca backs integrating welfare aid through MyKad, urges strong data safeguards
INTERACTIVE: Expand B40 health schemes to M40 households, say stakeholders
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PETALING JAYA: Free health screenings and subsidised medical insurance for the B40 should be widened to include middle-income families who are also feeling the pinch from rising medical inflation, say stakeholders.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah said many M40 households now face similar financial pressures as the B40, including higher medical costs, stagnant wages, and limited access to affordable private healthcare.
โThey are the โmissing middleโ who fall through the cracks of social protection.
โBy widening coverage through a shared-subsidy or co-payment model, the government can ensure more Malaysians are protected against unexpected medical expenses while keeping the schemes financially sustainable,โ he said.
He said this in response to Aonโs 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates Report which projects Malaysiaโs medical inflation to hit 16% in 2026, well above the Asia-Pacific average of 11.3%.
Current health programmes for the B40 include Peka B40, which offers free check-ups, medical device aid, and early detection incentives for Malaysians aged 40 and above.
Read more: INTERACTIVE: Expand B40 health schemes to M40 households, say stakeholders
Govt urged to maintain speed limiter deadline
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PETALING JAYA: Road safety experts have urged the government to hold firm to its October enforcement deadline for speed limiter devices on heavy vehicles, warning that poorly maintained lorries and buses pose a grave risk to public safety.
They cautioned that delays could lead to tragedies such as the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) bus crash, and called for stiff penalties โ including fines higher than compliance costs and the immediate impounding of unchecked vehicles โ to ensure operators take the rules seriously.
Road safety expert Dr Law Teik Hua said voluntary compliance has been alarmingly low, with fewer than 3,000 vehicles verified in the past three months.
โGiven the risks posed by unchecked heavy vehicles, there is a strong case for zero tolerance after the October deadline,โ he said when contacted yesterday.
Law warned that postponing enforcement will undermine both safety and the credibility of the authorities.
Nuclear ambitions demand caution, clarity, and public accountability
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THE recent announcement that Malaysia could introduce nuclear power within the next decade has triggered a wave of discussion. Some see nuclear energy as a bold step forward in diversifying our energy mix, while others fear that it is a costly gamble with consequences that could last for generations.
The truth is that this issue cannot be reduced to slogans about โclean energyโ or โfuture security.โ It demands a sober, honest, and transparent national conversation that goes beyond promises to examine the full reality of what nuclear means for Malaysia.
Malaysia has pledged under its National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and broader climate policies to achieve Net Zero by 2050. At the macro level, this is not optional; it is a global responsibility.
Nuclear power, in theory, offers low-carbon electricity that can complement solar and wind by providing steady, baseload supply. In a future where Malaysiaโs demand will not only rise with population growth but also with the rapid expansion of data centres, electric vehicles, and high-energy industries, the allure of nuclear is understandable.
Reliable power is the backbone of a modern economy, and the argument is often made that renewables alone may struggle to keep up with demand, especially during cloudy days or windless nights. Proponents believe nuclear could provide the โalways-onโ stability to balance renewables in the grid.
Read more: Nuclear ambitions demand caution, clarity, and public accountability
MyDigital ID plan for prepaid cards sparks privacy debate
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PETALING JAYA: Malaysiaโs push to link prepaid SIM registration with MyDigital ID is viewed as a crucial step to combat rampant scams; however, some experts express concerns it could undermine consumer privacy.Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said they have been advocating for this initiative since January.
โWe urged the government not only to reform prepaid SIM registration with MyDigital ID but also to track down the supply chain where registered SIM cards are sold illegally.
โThis initiative by the government is crucial, as scammers widely use registered SIM cards to conduct their illegal operations,โ said Siraj.
On Wednesday, Communicaยญtions Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that all telecommunications companies in the country would be instructed to implement MyDigital ID in the prepaid SIM registration ยญprocess.
Fahmi said the policy would be enforced by the end of the year.
The measure, he added, would close loopholes in the existing system and prevent any potential misuse.
Read more: MyDigital ID plan for prepaid cards sparks privacy debate
BUDI95: MyKad readers to be installed at all petrol stations, pump terminals to ease process, says Finance Ministry
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IPOH: MyKad readers will be set up at all petrol stations and pump terminals to ease the process for the people to benefit from the Budi Madani RON95 (BUDI95) programme, which starts this Saturday (Sept 27).
The Finance Ministry, in a statement Monday (Sept 22), said that those eligible for targeted subsidised RON95 would only need to verify using their MyKad without any registration process.
"The MyKad readers will be available at the stations and pump terminals to reduce the risk of congestion.
"Another option is through Touch'N Go (TnG) e-wallet or mobile apps like Setel by Petronas and CaltexGo," the statement said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier announced the price of RON95 would be reduced to RM1.99 per litre from RM2.05 per litre, through the BUDI95 programme.
Fomca backs multi-option RON95 subsidy system to ease consumer concerns
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KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) welcomes the government's assurance that multiple mechanisms will be available for payment of subsidised RON95 petrol, calling it a move that balances foresight and consumer needs.
Its secretary-general Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said the announcement by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is a timely move that demonstrates foresight and will reduce public worry.
He said offering consumers a choice of multiple options would ensure a backup if one system fails and help prevent long queues, disputes or outright denial of subsidy to eligible consumers.
"The most consumer-friendly approach is one that prioritises convenience, security and reliability," he told the 'New Straits Times' today.
Saravanan added that the ministry's proactive step would reassure the public that the government is listening to consumer concerns if it is done comprehensively.
"As long as these mechanisms are implemented with strong data protection, strict enforcement against misuse, and clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) at petrol stations, consumers can have confidence that the subsidy will be delivered fairly, efficiently, and without compromising their rights or security," he said.
Read more: Fomca backs multi-option RON95 subsidy system to ease consumer concerns
Rising costs of food and goods threat to tourism
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PETALING 
JAYA: Malaysiaโs reputation as a value-for-money destination could be at stake ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 with rising food and goods prices at tourist hotspots threatening to deter travellers and deepen resentment among locals.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) CEO Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said inflated prices in popular tourist areas carry a โdouble burdenโ, which means tourists are shocked by the cost while locals struggle because they depend on the same shops, restaurants and markets for essentials.
He said locals, particularly those from lower and middle income households, are hit hardest as many spend nearly 40% of their income on food and daily necessities.
โIn certain tourism-heavy towns, the price of a meal or groceries could be up to 30% higher than in non-tourist districts. Residents then face the unfair choice of paying inflated rates or travelling elsewhere for affordable goods.โ
He also said Fomca and the National Consumer Complaints Centre have received numerous reports from locals in such areas.
He added that the most common grievances were food and beverages priced two or three times higher than in surrounding towns, and basic goods such as bottled water, snacks and household items being sold at unjustifiable mark-ups.
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