Insurance industry must provide clear explanations for premium hikes - Fomca
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KUALA LUMPUR: While the government has outlined premium rate adjustments as one of four key strategies to tackle the rising costs of health insurance and takaful premiums, there is a need for clear justification behind these price increases.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said that insurance companies must provide clearer explanations and more transparency, particularly in relation to their payout-to-collection ratios.
"The insurance industry must offer clear explanations, especially if they claim to be incurring losses due to paying out more than they are collecting. If the industry asserts that they are making a loss, they must provide justification. The data behind such claims must be made available," she said when contacted.
Expressing concern about the lack of information disclosed by insurance companies, she said: "There is a significant lack of transparency in the insurance industry. If the government is to accept the industry's claim that they are losing money, where is the evidence to back it up? All insurance companies have access to the necessary data and should be reporting it openly."
In contrast, she added that the motor insurance industry had been more forthcoming with data, openly sharing information about premiums sold and claims settled.
"This has led to questions about why the medical insurance sector, which also collects significant premiums, is not held to similar standards of transparency.
Read more: Insurance industry must provide clear explanations for premium hikes - Fomca
Fomca calls for stronger data security in subsidised cooking oil app
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CEO T Saravanan says the government must ensure that the data of users is not misused or exposed to the risk of leakage.
PETALING JAYA: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) today urged the government to ensure optimal data security for the app that it will introduce to monitor subsidised cooking oil sales.Fomca CEO T Saravanan said the app would store usersโ purchase records and personal information, and that the government must ensure the data is not misused or exposed to the risk of leakage.
He told FMT this in response to the announcement about the introduction of the app by domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali yesterday.
Armizan said usersโ data would be recorded during purchases to allow his ministry to determine whether subsidised cooking oil was being sold to the intended target groups.
He said the app was being used in a pilot project and would be included as part of the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation System.
Saravanan urged the government to ensure that the app is user-friendly and to continue enforcement efforts, given concerns that some parties might try to manipulate the system.
โHow will this app be used by those who are not tech-savvy or who do not own a smartphone?
โIf the process is too complicated, it could be an inconvenience to them, who genuinely need the subsidised cooking oil.
โThis app can be an effective monitoring tool, but it must be supported by efficient enforcement, strong data security measures, and mechanisms that do not burden the people,โ he said.
More hands needed for candy crush effort, says CAP
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The Consumers Association of Penang calls for a comprehensive approach involving several government agencies to stop the sale of dangerous candy to children.
PETALING JAYA: The government should rope in officials from various agencies if the health ministry lacks sufficient manpower to ensure dangerous candies are not sold to children, says a consumer group.
Consumers Association of Penang senior education officer N V Subbarow suggested that the government could also involve the domestic trade and cost of living ministry, the customs department, Rela, and even the police.
โTreat this issue as an urgent matterโฆ do not only confiscate but withdraw licences of those who flout the law and take them to court as well,โ he said.
His call comes a week after a 10-year-old schoolboy in Penang died after choking on a piece of gummy candy bought outside SK Sungai Dua in Butterworth. The health ministry then banned the sale of the candy and promised further action.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah called for business owners and importers to be held responsible for ensuring that food products met strict safety and quality standards.
He also suggested that the public help the health ministry by reporting unsafe products through accessible complaint channels.
โEnforcement alone is not sufficient,โ he said. โA multi-pronged approach is needed, combining regulations, enforcement, public awareness, and industry accountability.โ
Shop prudently during festive season, public advised
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Be wary of promotional hype meant to trigger consumers to spend beyond means, says Fomca.
PETALING JAYA: With Ramadan here and Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaching, consumers have been advised to shop cautiously as prices of clothing tend to rise during festive periods.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief operating officer Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said while inflation and rising production expenditures in the textile industry contribute to price hikes, branding plays a significant role in driving
up costs.
โBranding and exclusivity often inflate prices, and there have been instances in which premium-priced items failed to meet expectations, proving that a hefty price tag does not always guarantee superior quality.
โHigher prices do not necessarily equate to better quality in materials, craftsmanship or durability. Well-established brands often charge a premium for their reputation, but some lower-priced options offer excellent value with high-quality fabrics and well-made designs,โ she said.
She added that on regular days, a baju kurung may cost about RM120, but during Ramadan and closer to Hari Raya, prices can increase by 10% to 20%.
โExcessive or misleading price hikes become problematic when they make festive clothing unaffordable for many, preventing some from celebrating as they wish,โ she said.
Read more: Shop prudently during festive season, public advised
Fomca: EPF members should think long term before withdrawing dividends
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KUALA LUMPUR: Employees Provident Fund members should think long term instead of withdrawing their dividends, said Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham.
She said members should focus on financial prudence, long-term security and policy safeguards.
She said although the ability to withdraw dividends from Account 3 provides short-term relief, it may reduce long-term retirement savings.
"With longer life expectancy and rising healthcare costs, withdrawing savings early could lead to financial struggles in old age.
"If necessary, prioritise essential expenses like medical needs, debt repayment (especially high-interest loans) and emergency situations.
"Avoid spending it on discretionary spending or non-essential purchases," she said when contacted.
She advised contributors who withdraw funds to reinvest in secure instruments, such as fixed deposits or low-risk funds, to maintain long-term financial security.
Read more: Fomca: EPF members should think long term before withdrawing dividends
Stricter food safety for kids urged
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PETALING JAYA: Quality control measures on food products, particularly those targeted at children, should be tightened, says the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).
Its chief operating officer Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said authorities must take stronger action to ensure product safety, especially for items with unclear origins or ingredients.
โThe sale of products like gummy candies (pic), which are unclear in terms of origin and ingredients, raise concerns about user safety, particularly when there is insufficient information about the manufacturer and the materials used in the production of the product,โ she said.
She added that stricter regulations should be implemented, similar to the bans imposed on hazardous toys such as crystal balls.
Nur Asyikin was referring to the ban on the sale of crystal balls (water jelly beads) under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, imposed due to their choking ยญhazard and risk of intestinal blockage in children.
โProducts that have not undergone thorough safety testing or do not meet certain standards pose risks to the consumers,โ she said.
Nur Asyikin said there is a lack of awareness regarding the potential choking hazards of certain food products, particularly those designed for children.
โConcern for childrenโs safety should be prioritised, and these factors are crucial in ensuring that the product is safe for consumers, especially the most vulnerable ones,โ she said.
She also called for stricter regulations on the sale of certain food products near schools.
Public health reforms, tougher insurance regulations take centre stage at ฯใฝถสำฦต hearing
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Other matters raised during the session, held at the Parliament building today, included stricter regulation and oversight of the insurance sector.
Attended by 550 people, the session included organisations such as the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca), the Malaysian Pharmacists Society, the Malaysian Coalition on Ageing (MCOA), Together Against Cancer, and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).
Also present were members of the health and insurance sectors, academics, and private citizens.
Many participants, including several doctors and pharmacists, called for a greater focus on strengthening the country's public health system, particularly by expanding primary care services and upgrading ageing facilities, to reduce reliance on private healthcare.
Other proposals included the establishment of a National Health Insurance Insurance (NHI) scheme to offer competition to private offerings and more equitable coverage.
Insurance reforms were also widely advocated, including encouraging the reintroduction of takeover clauses, offering healthy living rebates, and ensuring comprehensive coverage for critical treatments.
ฯใฝถสำฦต perlu bertindak, kanak-kanak tak faham erti kualiti atau kandungan makanan ringan
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GEORGETOWN: Makanan ringan yang dijual kepada kanak-kanak termasuk berhampiran kawasan sekolah, perlu dipantau dari aspek kandungan dan keselamatannya.
Pegawai Pendidikan Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) dan aktivis, NV Subbarow, berkata makanan ringan berkenaan wajar mempunyai logo kelulusan Kementerian Kesihatan (ฯใฝถสำฦต).
"Ini mengenai kesihatan kanak-kanak, sudah tiba masanya ฯใฝถสำฦต mengambil tindakan.
"Tindakan harus diambil terhadap peniaga yang menjual makanan ringan di luar kawasan sekolah.
"ฯใฝถสำฦต tidak boleh berdiam diri. Kanak-kanak ini tidak tahu apa-apa mengenai kualiti, kandungan, apa yang ada di dalam makanan dan sebagainya.
"Satu-satunya tarikan ialah warna dan gula atau kemanisan," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini, hari ini.
Vegetable prices expected to increase ahead of Ramadan due to hot weather, high demand
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KUALA LUMPUR: Vegetables are among the essential goods at risk of price increases ahead of Ramadan early next month.
Kedah Consumer Association (Cake) president Yusrizal Yusoff said the price hike is due to ongoing hot weather, in addition to high demand during Ramadan.
"Other factors include limited supply, as well as rising transportation and labour costs. Furthermore, some parties may take advantage of the high demand by increasing their prices.
"The authorities need to take action against those who arbitrarily raise prices by enforcing the anti-profiteering act.
"Additionally, reintroducing price controls and price ceilings for essential goods for consumers during Ramadan would be helpful," he said, also predicting that wet goods like fish and chicken would also see a price increase.
Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy secretary-general Nur Asyikin Aminuddin, shared the same view, anticipating a rise in vegetable prices.
Read more: Vegetable prices expected to increase ahead of Ramadan due to hot weather, high demand
Utamakan isi rumah, hadkan penggunaan air bagi pusat data - FOMCA
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SHAH ALAM - Kerajaan digesa mengutamakan keperluan sumber air bersih bagi isi rumah dengan menetapkan had penggunaan air yang ketat bagi pusat data serta mewajibkan penggunaan teknologi penyejukan yang lebih cekap dalam penggunaan air.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Dr T Saravanan berkata, tanpa dasar pengurusan air yang berkesan, negara berisiko menghadapi tekanan air yang serius dalam masa terdekat.
Menurutnya, pada masa ini, penggunaan air per kapita di Malaysia adalah sebanyak 226 liter sehari, jauh melebihi had yang disyorkan oleh Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) iaitu 165 liter.
"Sebuah pusat data biasa dengan kapasiti 100 MW (megawatt) boleh menggunakan sekitar 4.2 juta liter air setiap hari, bersamaan dengan penggunaan harian sebuah bandar yang mempunyai 10,000 penduduk.
"Populasi Malaysia dijangka mencapai 40 juta menjelang tahun 2040. Seiring dengan pertumbuhan populasi,permintaan terhadap air bersih dan boleh diakses juga akan meningkat."
"Oleh itu, bekalan air domestik perlu diutamakan berbanding penggunaan industri demi memastikan kesihatan awam dan kualiti hidup yang terjamin,"katanya dalam kenyataan bersama Persatuan Pengguna Air dan Tenaga Malaysia (WECAM) pada Isnin.
Read more: Utamakan isi rumah, hadkan penggunaan air bagi pusat data - FOMCA
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