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petrol fuel pumpPETALING JAYA: A consumer group wants the government to announce early when it plans to implement the targeted subsidy for RON95 petrol to enable consumers to adjust to new and possibly higher prices.

On the other hand, an economist advises against it, saying an early announcement may cause panic buying. 

T Saravanan, CEO of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca), said prices will rise no matter when the government makes the announcement.

“As a result of the widespread discussions on targeted subsidies for petrol, businesses are already waiting in earnest for its implementation,” he told FMT.

“Whether (the government) announces it earlier or later, prices will definitely rise,” he said.

“Somehow or other, businesses will see additional costs and these will be transferred to consumers,” he added.

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5G: No additional charges to enable people optimise usage of service , improve standard of livingKUALA LUMPUR: The government's commitment to see that mobile network providers do not charge extra for 5G access helps ensure that no consumer is left behind, says the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca).

Its chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah said the decision takes into account the rising cost of living and greater 5G adoption should lead to an overall increase in productivity.

"The technology is not only capable of providing a high-speed Internet experience at a rate of 10 to 100 times or up to 1.5GB per second compared to 4G technology, but also has a better quality connection.

"The efficiency of this connection ... has great potential to boost mobile communication, in addition to creating a new industry that brings benefits to the entire economy," he said when contacted.

Saravanan hoped that despite the efficiency of 5G technology, the government will continue to monitor and investigate consumer complaints if any additional charges are imposed.

On Jan 9, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that no additional charges would be imposed by telecommunications companies on users for access to the 5G network.

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story imageLETTER | Despite the best efforts of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), scams continue to increase, impacting severely the financial, psychological and social well-being of consumers.

In 2023 alone, according to the NSRC, overall losses due to scams totalled RM1.34 billion. In the instance of investment scams, losses more than doubled from RM209 million in 2022 to RM437 million in 2023, an increase of over 109 percent within a year.

Those affected by scams are not only ordinary consumers but also include the professional, the educated and the articulate. Thus clearly, every consumer is a potential victim of a scam.

Recognising that frequently the losses due to scams may not be recovered despite the best efforts, the best protection is certainly self-protection. Once you are a victim the possibility of recovering your losses is slim.

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Co-payment Meaning in Health Insurance | Tata AIA BlogPETALING JAYA: A leading consumer group has expressed concerns over Bank Negara Malaysia’s recent announcement that insurance companies must introduce medical and health policies with a “co-payment” feature option starting Sept 1.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) said the announcement lacks clarity on the implementation timeline and details, leaving a large part of the process “vague”.

Its chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah said the co-payment feature would create more issues for consumers, as they might have to fork out more money for their medical coverage.

“We know how time consuming it can be for consumers to get their guarantee letters and other insurance documents sorted out before admission to hospitals.

“Some have no choice but to pay out of their pocket first, hoping to claim it back later.

“The claims take time and may not be fully reimbursed. Consumers will ultimately have to pay more at hospitals,” he said.

Saravanan said the announcement is not welcome as it is unclear how co-payments would “encourage consumers to take a more active role in their medical health insurance coverage and claims”.

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Federation of Malaysians Consumers AssociationsPETALING JAYA: More allocation should be given to support the rebate programme encouraging usage of energy-efficient appliances, says a consumer group.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) chief executive officer Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said that by providing more cash, it would allow consumers to participate in sustainable practices.

“The government should also add more eligible appliances, not only air conditioners and refrigerators,” he said, commenting on the Sustainability Achieved Via Energy Efficiency (SAVE) 4.0 by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda).

Last December, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said RM50mil was allocated for the programme.

Consumers were allowed to receive rebates worth up to RM400 that can be used to purchase energy-efficient air conditioners and refrigerators with four- or five-star labels issued by the Energy Commission.

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Free Malaysia TodayPETALING JAYA: Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) menolak cadangan penyediaan kawasan khas merokok khususnya bagi premis makanan di kawasan sempit.
Penyelaras kawalan tembakau Fomca Sha’ani Abdullah berkata ini kerana tindakan itu bercanggah dengan dasar kawalan tembakau negara.

Beliau berkata jika kawasan merokok perlu, ia harus menyokong objektif menyahnormalkan tabiat merokok seperti menawarkan keselesaan kepada perokok, termasuk perlindungan dan tempat duduk.

“Hanya kotak bertanda merah di atas lantai (perlu disediakan),” kata Sha’ani dalam satu kenyataan. 

Tambahnya, kanak-kanak tidak seharusnya terdedah kepada kawasan tersebut, bagi mengelakkan mereka terjebak dengan tabiat merokok.

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Free Malaysia TodayPETALING JAYA: Kerajaan digesa segera melaksanakan subsidi bersasar untuk diesel bagi membendung penyelewengan dan penyeludupan bahan bakar tersebut.

Selain itu, CEO Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca), Saravanan Thambirajah berkata langkah itu juga dapat memastikan manfaat tersebut hanya dapat dinikmati golongan yang paling memerlukan.

“Pendekatan ini menghapuskan subsidi universal yang, tanpa disedari, telah memberi faedah kepada penyeludup,” katanya kepada FMT.

Beliau mengulas laporan yang memetik Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup sebagai berkata bahawa peningkatan kes penyeludupan dijangka berlaku tahun ini.

Ketua pengarahnya, Zubir Hamsa, pada bulan lalu berkata sehingga 27 Mac, terdapat 324 kes penyeludupan yang melibatkan 3.2 juta liter diesel. Nilai diesel yang dirampas melalui Operasi Tiris dianggarkan bernilai RM7.5 juta.

Pada 1 April, Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim berkata 80% hingga 85% daripada penduduk akan terjejas apabila subsidi untuk diesel ditarik balik.

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Free Malaysia TodayPETALING JAYA: Sebarang langkah untuk membaik pulih Suruhanjaya Penerbangan Malaysia (Mavcom) mesti merangkumi rombakan proses penyelesaian aduannya, menurut seorang pakar pengangkutan.

Perunding pengangkutan Rosli Khan, yang menyokong pembaikpulihan Mavcom berkata, tidak wajar penumpang menunggu 30 hari untuk aduan mereka ditangani syarikat penerbangan atau lapangan terbang sebelum boleh menghubungi suruhanjaya itu.

“Bagaimana jika Mavcom mengambil masa 30 hari lagi untuk menyiasat aduan?” soalnya.

Rosli berkata, Mavcom harus menerbitkan data mengenai amalan tidak beretika dan perkhidmatan yang buruk oleh syarikat penerbangan, dan aduan daripada penumpang bagi memperkasakan pengguna untuk membuat keputusan termaklum.

“Ia juga akan memastikan akauntabiliti di pihak syarikat penerbangan. Barulah ada insentif untuk mereka menambah baik perkhidmatan dan menangani rungutan pengguna untuk mengekalkan reputasi dan bahagian pasaran mereka.

“Penumpang tidak akan memilih syarikat penerbangan dengan rekod kelewatan atau pembatalan. Elemen ketelusan ini penting bagi kedua-dua syarikat penerbangan dan penumpang,” katanya kepada FMT.

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bezza-rosakPETALING JAYA: ‘Lemon Law’ akan memberi ‘taring’ bagi melindungi pembeli kenderaan terpakai atau baharu yang sebelum ini terpaksa berdepan pelbagai syarat ketika membuat tuntutan jika berlaku kerosakan, kata NGO pengguna.

Namun bagi memastikan keberkesanannya, Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) menggesa pakar perunding dilantik menyediakan kertas cadangan supaya mendapat pandangan semua pihak berkaitan.

Menyambut baik sasaran membentangkan undang-undang itu seawal sidang Parlimen Mac tahun depan, CEO Fomca T Saravanan berkata pelaksanaannya telah lama dinantikan bagi melindungi pengguna.

“Sasaran bentang Mac tahun depan memadai kerana akta baharu memerlukan masa untuk digubal, namun sebelum itu kerajaan boleh pinda undang-undang sedia ada untuk melindungi pembeli kenderaan.

“Kita harap kajian turut ambil kira pandangan pemegang taruh dan semua pihak supaya kita ada undang-undang berkesan,” katanya kepada FMT.

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Free Malaysia TodayPETALING JAYA: Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) yakin penyasaran subsidi diesel oleh kerajaan mampu mengekang ketirisan dan penyeludupan bahan bakar itu.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Fomca, Saravanan Thambirajah, berkata kad fleet yang membolehkan pengendali kenderaan layak membeli diesel subsidi di stesen ditetapkan juga membantu menghapuskan pengendali pasaran gelap dan penyeludup.

“Menyasarkan pengendali dan penyeludup ini, kita secara berperingkat menangani kerugian kewangan kesan penyeludupan dan ketirisan,” katanya kepada FMT.

Pada Februari, Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup Armizan Mohd Ali berkata tiga juta liter diesel diseludup keluar setiap hari, mengakibatkan kerugian RM4.4 juta sehari.

Saravanan tidak memperkecilkan kemungkinan penyeludup cuba memanipulasi sistem dilaksanakan memandangkan diesel subsidi dijual di negara ini lebih murah berbanding negara jiran.

Justeru, beliau berkata penting bagi kerajaan meningkatkan penguatkuasaan.

  1. Pengguna perlu peka kawal guna tenaga
  2. Negara ini tidak wajar bergantung kepada beras import - FOMCA
  3. Masa pengguna tunjuk kuasa - Fomca
  4. Perlu penguatkuasaan tegas, pastikan penurunan harga beras putih import tercapai
  5. Sembilan kebimbangan FOMCA terhadap AI kepada pengguna
  6. Water tariff hike: Make sure additional revenue used to improve water services, infrastructure, says Fomca
  7. Deputy Finance Minister: Subsidised diesel fleet card has refuelling limit
  8. Keep AI in check, urge activists
  9. Let's educate consumers about errant traders hiking prices following diesel subsidy reforms, says Fomca
  10. Penerusan subsidi berkaitan diesel pelihara kebajikan rakyat
  11. Consumer group urges public to report to Domestic Trade Ministry if egg prices not reduced
  12. Lemon Law elak pengguna terus ‘dibuli’ peniaga
  13. FOMCA syor tubuh pasukan khas bawah BNM pantau aduan penipuan dalam talian
  14. Utamakan warga tempatan beli minyak masak peket
  15. Lega OPR kekal
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