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Insurance Regulations: Navigating Compliance Challenges | AlStar Brokerage SolutionsKUALA LUMPUR: A revamp of the public health system and transparency in healthcare charges were among the key issues discussed at the second Public Accounts Committee (香蕉视频) public hearing on health insurance premiums and private healthcare expenses.

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.

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Info grafik 香蕉视频.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 (香蕉视频).

"Ini mengenai kesihatan kanak-kanak, sudah tiba masanya 香蕉视频 mengambil tindakan.

"Tindakan harus diambil terhadap peniaga yang menjual makanan ringan di luar kawasan sekolah.

"香蕉视频 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.

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Sky-high vegetable prices bite consumers, retailers | Malaysia | The VibesKUALA 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.

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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. Gambar hiasan 123RFSHAH 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.

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Certified Green Logo | 15 Logo Designs for Certified GreenPETALING JAYA: Get vegetables from trusted sellers and be wary of stalls selling cheap greens that could be from illegal markets, says a consumer group.

Buyers should also look out for food safety labels like MyOrganic or GAP (Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices) certification as a way to ensure product safety, said Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah.

For consumers who are concerned about pesticide residue, he said washing vegetables thoroughly under running water, scrubbing with a brush or soaking them in a baking soda solution (at one teaspoon per litre of water) for 15 minutes can be of help.

鈥淧eeling vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers can further reduce pesticide intake.

鈥淐hoose organic produce where possible as it is a safer alternative, since it involves minimal pesticide use,鈥 he said in an interview yesterday.

Saravanan said the issue of illegal vegetable farms operated by foreign nationals is a growing concern.

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KUALA LUMPUR 鈥 Malaysia鈥檚 push for digitalisation in public transport was meant to enhance efficiency. Still, for many senior citizens and concession card holders, it has become a roadblock rather than a convenience.

With the removal of physical ticket counters by key service providers and the reliance on apps like KTMB (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) and BusOnlineTicket, elderly commuters鈥攎any from the B40 and M40 groups鈥攁re struggling to keep up. 

Navigating complex registration processes and unfriendly digital interfaces has turned a simple task into a frustrating ordeal, especially for those unfamiliar with smartphones who face significant barriers in registering their information to access concession fares.

To make matters worse, these apps prevent family members or younger individuals from purchasing concession tickets on behalf of seniors, forcing them to wrestle with technology they may not fully understand.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer T. Saravanan has criticised the current system for failing to consider vulnerable groups.

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Saravanan suggested introducing user-friendly interfaces with larger fonts, voice-guided navigation and dedicated helplines to improve accessibility for seniors. 鈥 ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUNDigital literacy training, allowing money payments and adopting best practices of other countries could alleviate situation: Fomca

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia moves forward with its digital-first future and the launch of the Cashless Boleh 5.0 campaign aimed at promoting a cash-free and cheque-free society, concerns are growing about the challenges such a shift is having on senior citizens.

The elderly make up 11.6% of the total population, which equates to 3.9 million individuals, many of whom have expressed frustration as they grapple with procedures in the digital landscape.

Noor Hanifah Azman, 69, said she had problems at a government health clinic, where she was required to use an e-wallet for payment.

鈥淭he staff there helped me, but it took so long. I felt guilty for holding everyone up.


The authorities should consider older people like me who are not used to modern financial systems.鈥

Subramaniam Suppiah, 65, also expressed frustration after a recent trip to an Immigration office to renew his passport.

鈥淚 was told the office only accepted debit or credit cards and QR payments. Since I am used to using cash, I was forced to return home to get my son鈥檚 debit card and go back the next day.

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story imageJan 18, 2025 12:00 PM

SOTHI RACHAGAN is an emeritus professor who is a formerdean of the faculty of law of Universiti Malaya; vice-chancellor of Perdana University and Nilai University, and president of theInternational Association of Consumer Law. He serves onnumerous international consumer protection bodies.

COMMENT | Healthcare and insurance are essential services and should not be treated as ordinary businesses. This is particularly true for healthcare insurance. The announcement of healthcare insurance premiums increasing by 40-70 percent has understandably alarmed consumers.

In response, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) introduced a series of immediate measures to ensure continued access to healthcare insurance and address rising medical costs (Interim Measures to Assist Policyholders and Promote Continued Access to Suitable Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful Products, Dec 20, 2024).

These interim measures are a positive step forward. However, they lack provisions for transparency and accountability from insurers and the regulator, BNM. Transparency and accountability are critical to fostering consumer trust.

Key metrics for insurer performance
Several key metrics can help consumers evaluate insurerperformance and enable regulators to monitor the industry鈥檚 health.
> Claims ratio: The ratio of claims paid out to premiumsreceived.
> Loss ratio: The ratio of claims and adjustment expenses(including claim investigation and verification costs) topremiums received.
> Claims settlement ratio: The proportion of claims settledagainst total claims filed (both in number and value). Thisratio allows buyers to compare insurers and choose themost reliable provider.
> Expense ratio: The proportion of expenses incurred inacquiring, underwriting, and servicing premiums relativeto premiums earned, reflecting an insurer鈥檚 operationalefficiency before factoring in policy claims and investmentgains or losses.

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rampas minyakPETALING JAYA: Kerajaan komited memastikan barangan terkawal seperti minyak masak peket bersubsidi hanya dinikmati golongan layak, kata Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup Fuziah Salleh.

Sehubungan itu, Fuziah berkata Putrajaya kini giat merangka mekanisme khas penyaluran subsidi termasuk kaedah pembelian untuk golongan sasar bagi mengelakkan ketirisan sehingga ada warga asing serta peniaga dapat membelinya.

鈥淢emang secara prinsip subsidi dalam bentuk minyak masak peket hanya boleh dinikmati rakyat Malaysia bukan warga asing selain kegunaan domestik bukan untuk premis perniagaan.

鈥淒ari segi mekanisme (penyaluran subsidi termasuk pembelian minyak masak peket), belum tuntas (muktamad),鈥 katanya kepada FMT.

Beliau mengulas gesaan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) supaya kerajaan memperkenalkan segera mekanisme penyaluran subsidi minyak masak peket termasuk kaedah pembelian untuk golongan sasar bagi mengelakkan ketirisan.

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minyak masakPETALING JAYA: A consumer group has urged the government to introduce a mechanism for targeted cooking oil subsidies to curb leakage and ensure that the subsidies are only channelled towards the target groups.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said reports of subsidy leakages through the misappropriation of cooking oil packets were becoming more common, and that immediate action was needed.

Fomca treasurer-general Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said the government must act quickly to prevent losing millions of ringgit due to subsidies that do not reach their target groups.

鈥淭he issue isn鈥檛 just about foreigners 鈥 even traders are purchasing subsidised cooking oil packets because the manner in which the cooking oil can be purchased is easily manipulated.

鈥淥n the other hand, those who are truly in need aren鈥檛 able to purchase the subsidised cooking oil,鈥 she told FMT.

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  2. Tip the scales in consumers鈥 favour
  3. Tarif elektrik: FOMCA kemuka 7 syor
  4. Smoking Ban At All Office Premises Must Be Strictly Enforced
  5. 鈥楲ay down the law to combat rising prices鈥
  6. Banks urged to waive RM1 ATM withdrawal fee
  7. Fomca urges the PM's office to set up a division to oversee medical insurers and private hospitals
  8. Bank Negara's measures on insurance premiums merely temporary, core issues unaddressed, says Fomca
  9. Extend Good Samaritan Act to cover food aid for the poor and hungry - Fomca
  10. Rising complaints over faulty, fraudulent second-hand car sales
  11. Fomca warns public on surge in fake house rental agent scams
  12. FOMCA鈥檚 Marimuthu slams Ombudsman for Financial Services for claims delays
  13. Announce targeted petrol subsidies early, says Fomca
  14. No extra fee for 5G will help economy but govt must keep watch, says Fomca
  15. LETTER | National Scam Response Centre must be reformed
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