KUALA LUMPUR: Penurunan harga Beras Putih Import (BPI) yang berkuat kuasa semalam, perlu dilaksanakan bersekali dengan tindakan penguatkuasaan tegas bagi memastikan matlamat kerajaan menurunkan harga makanan ruji rakyat Malaysia itu tercapai.Perlu penguatkuasaan tegas, pastikan penurunan harga beras putih import tercapai
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KUALA LUMPUR: Penurunan harga Beras Putih Import (BPI) yang berkuat kuasa semalam, perlu dilaksanakan bersekali dengan tindakan penguatkuasaan tegas bagi memastikan matlamat kerajaan menurunkan harga makanan ruji rakyat Malaysia itu tercapai.Penguatkuasaan itu bukan sekadar memastikan penjual mematuhi harga yang telah ditetapkan, tetapi juga perlu melibatkan langkah sewajarnya bagi memastikan BPI yang dijual di Malaysia hanya untuk jualan di dalam negara.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), T. Saravanan berkata, pihak berkaitan khususnya yang mengawal sempadan negara perlu lebih tegas bagi memastikan tiada pihak yang mengambil kesempatan daripada penurunan harga itu.
"Ketika ini, harga beras di luar negara mencecah RM38 dan ia merupakan perbezaan harga yang ketara di negara kita (selepas penurunan harga). Kami khuatir ada pihak yang akan menjual semula dengan kaedah pembungkusan semula serta penyeludupan ke sempadan negara," katanya.
Semalam, Menteri Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu mengumumkan penurunan harga BPI antara RM2 hingga RM3 berkuat kuasa pada Rabu, yang dimuktamadkan melalui Mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Sara Hidup Negara (NACCOL).
Read more: Perlu penguatkuasaan tegas, pastikan penurunan harga beras putih import tercapai
Sembilan kebimbangan FOMCA terhadap AI kepada pengguna
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KUALA LUMPUR - Terdapat sembilan kebimbangan Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) mengenai risiko dan cabaran kecerdasan buatan (AI).
Presidennya, Profesor Emeritus Datuk Dr Marimutu Nadason berkata, kerajaan perlu mengawal selia daripada perspektif hak pengguna bagi melindungi pengguna daripada kesan AI.
Menurutnya, suara pengguna harus didengari kerana ia menjadi tanggungjawab bersama antara kerajaan, perniagaan dan pengguna dalam memastikan penyediaan sistem AI yang wajar dan bertanggungjawab.
“Pertama terdapat kesilapan dan kandungan data yang tidak tepat yang dihasilkannya mungkin kelihatan meyakinkan dan betul tetapi boleh jadi tidak betul dari segi fakta,” katanya dalam kenyataan pada Jumaat.
Marimutu berkata, ini termasuklah imej, teks atau rakaman suara yang diubah menggunakan teknologi AI akan menghakis kepercayaan pengguna kerana pengguna tidak dapat membezakannya sama ada yang nyata atau yang telah diubah.
“AI dalam pengiklanan pula menjadikannya lebih mudah untuk memanipulasi orang awam melalui penciptaan pengiklanan yang bersifat peribadi.
Read more: Sembilan kebimbangan FOMCA terhadap AI kepada pengguna
Water tariff hike: Make sure additional revenue used to improve water services, infrastructure, says Fomca
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KUALA LUMPUR: The additional revenue obtained by water concessionaires from the adjustment to the domestic water tariffs effective Feb 1 must be channelled to improving water supply services and infrastructures, a consumers association said.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) also urged the National Water Services Commission (Span) to outline the action plans and key performance index related to the water distribution network expansion and the replacement of aged infrastructure.
This, Fomca chief executive T. Saravanan said, was to justify the increase in the water tariffs, which will see domestic users in the peninsular and Labuan pay an average 22 sen more for every cubic metre of water.
"Even though, Fomca was not involved by the relevant authority in any stakeholders engagement for the tariff increase, the associations welcome the move for the tariff revision as it has remain unchanged for the last two decades.
"Any tariff increase in any sector, however, should be justified based on the needs.
"Based on feedback from consumers, there are still lots of complaints and inquiries about water disruptions, murky water supply, frequent unscheduled water cuts and low water pressure. The tariff increase will be justified if the water operators address these issues," he said.
On whether the quantum of increase was deemed expensive, Saravanan said this would depend on the consumption of the respective consumers.
Deputy Finance Minister: Subsidised diesel fleet card has refuelling limit
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GEORGE TOWN: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) sees the fleet cards as an important means of moderating the industry, namely the logistical companies.
Yesterday, the government announced that diesel prices would be adjusted according to the current market, with the starting price at all retail petrol stations in Peninsular Malaysia set at RM3.35 per litre.
To offset the impact of the increase, the government implemented targeted diesel subsidies involving the use of fleet cards for the Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0, including setting prices for eligible sectors such as logistics.
Additionally, Budi Madani cash aid was also allocated to eligible individuals, including diesel vehicle owners and small-scale farmers.
Fomca vice-president and legal adviser Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said the fleet cards was more for the bigger logistical companies.
"So I think that is more important.
"When you talk about individuals, it is basically those in the B40 groups and there is already a database on them as the government is already giving out all the cash aids and other assistance.
"And when you talk about the agriculture sector, it is the farmers. So, actually, it is a very small group of people and there is already available data," she told the New Straits Times
Keep AI in check, urge activists
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PETALING JAYA: Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be regulated to ensure that its use does not infringe on the rights of consumers as they are the biggest group of people whose lives will be impacted by the technology, says a legal advisor.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president and legal adviser Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said the Malaysian National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2021-2025, which was launched in 2021, had neglected consumer groups in its consultation process.
This was despite consumer groups representing the largest number of people whose lives would be impacted by technology innovation, including AI development and deployment, she said.
“AI will have an enormous impact on people’s lives in the ways we work, communicate, gather information and much more. It has major implications for consumers’ well-being, autonomy, self-determination, privacy, safety, fairness and security.
“It also raises questions about who should be held responsible if the output of an AI system has a detrimental effect on a consumer,” she said in an interview.
As such, she said Fomca called on the government to regulate AI from a consumer rights’ perspective.
Let's educate consumers about errant traders hiking prices following diesel subsidy reforms, says Fomca
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KUALA LUMPUR: Consumers should be educated about their rights and choices when facing traders who want to increase prices following the fuel subsidy rationalisation, said the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca).
Vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said: "We need to educate consumers. We need to empower them to understand that not all rationalisation of subsidies will end up with consumers bearing the burden."
Indrani said this on the New Straits Times' Beyond the Headlines podcast.
She said the savings of RM4 billion the government would gain through the fuel subsidy reform should be directed to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for monitoring, enforcement and educational efforts.
"When the government decided to implement the Good and Services Tax (GST), consumer groups were given allocations to educate the public on what GST was, its implications, and how people could make informed decisions.
Penerusan subsidi berkaitan diesel pelihara kebajikan rakyat
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KUALA LUMPUR: Langkah meneruskan subsidi berkaitan diesel untuk mengurangkan impak kenaikan harga bahan api itu menunjukkan kesungguhan kerajaan dalam menjaga kebajikan rakyat.
Ketua Ahli Ekonomi Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid berkata kenaikan harga itu tidak dapat dihalang, justeru, pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan undang-undang sedia ada sangat penting untuk membanteras sebarang kegiatan mengaut keuntungan dan penyelewengan oleh syarikat-syarikat.
Berikutan itu, beliau memuji usaha berterusan dan gigih kerajaan dalam membanteras penyeludupan diesel di samping terus menangani isu bekalan dan kos sara hidup.
Bagaimanapun, beliau berpendapat kerajaan perlu merancang suatu strategi komunikasi supaya mesej mengenai rasionalisasi subsidi bahan api dapat difahami rakyat, selain menjelaskan ke mana penjimatan daripada pelaksanaan langkah itu disalurkan serta hasil yang dijangkakan.
“Antara hasil yang dapat kita jangkakan termasuk infrastruktur lebih baik di sekolah-sekolah seperti perabot, peralatan elektrik dan makmal sains yang akan menambah baik pengalaman pembelajaran dalam kalangan pelajar serta memberi motivasi kepada guru-guru supaya lebih efektif dalam pengajaran mereka,” katanya kepada BERNAMA ketika dihubungi hari ini.
Read more: Penerusan subsidi berkaitan diesel pelihara kebajikan rakyat
Consumer group urges public to report to Domestic Trade Ministry if egg prices not reduced
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![Consumer group urges public to report to Domestic Trade Ministry if egg prices not reduced [WATCH]](https://assets.nst.com.my/images/articles/EGG250624_1719317002.jpg)
PUTRAJAYA: The public has been urged to act as "eyes and ears" by reporting to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry if egg prices remain unchanged despite the reduction in prices effective today.
Malaysia Consumer Movement (MCM) deputy chairman, Beninder Singh, said it is the responsibility of traders to comply with the directive to reduce prices or face legal action.
"Consumers are encouraged to report to the authorities if traders are found selling at prices higher than the controlled rates," he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the retail prices for grade A, B, and C chicken eggs have been reduced to 42 sen, 40 sen and 38 sen each, respectively, effective today.
He said the government decided to lower chicken egg prices nationwide by 3 sen each to pass on targeted subsidy savings to the public.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, stated that the 10 sen subsidy per egg amounts to an expenditure of RM100 million, and in 2023 the allocation for egg subsidies was RM927 million.
Lemon Law elak pengguna terus ‘dibuli’ peniaga
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KUALA LUMPUR: Pelaksanaan Lemon Law di Malaysia akan melindungi pengguna daripada penipuan dan kerosakan produk yang dijual, kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Saravanan Thambirajah.
Beliau berkata, di bawah Lemon Law, peniaga bertanggungjawab untuk membaiki, menggantikan, membayar balik atau menurunkan harga produk yang didapati rosak.
“Lemon Law biasanya merangkumi semua produk pengguna membabitkan kereta bermotor, peralatan rumah, perabot, peranti digital dan banyak lagi. Ia akan terpakai kepada mana-mana peniaga yang menjual produk pengguna di Malaysia,” katanya kepada BH.
Merujuk kepada sektor automotif, Saravanan berkata, Lemon Law memberi pembeli kereta hak untuk menerima bayaran balik atau kereta baharu jika kenderaan yang dibeli mengalami kecacatan serius atau menghadapi masalah mekanikal.
Menerusi Lemon Law, katanya, pengeluar kenderaan dikehendaki membaiki kenderaan dan jika ia tidak dapat berbuat demikian selepas beberapa percubaan yang munasabah, ia mesti sama ada menggantikan kenderaan itu atau membayar balik harga pembelian.
FOMCA syor tubuh pasukan khas bawah BNM pantau aduan penipuan dalam talian
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KUALA LUMPUR: Satu pasukan petugas khas wajar ditubuhkan bawah Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) bagi memantau aduan berhubung penipuan kewangan dalam talian, sejajar akta baharu yang sedang dirangka kerajaan untuk membanteras jenayah itu.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif FOMCA, Saravanan Thambirajah, ketika menyuarakan cadangan itu menyarankan pasukan terbabit bukan saja dianggotai wakil institusi perbankan dan kementerian berkaitan, tetapi juga daripada pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) serta pihak berkuasa seperti Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) supaya tindakan lebih tegas dapat diambil.
Katanya, pemantauan itu akan dapat menjamin pihak institusi perbankan tidak mengambil mudah aduan berkenaan, sekali gus boleh bertindak pantas bagi mengekang penipuan kewangan dalam talian.
Selain tindakan tegas, beliau berkata, kerajaan melalui BNM juga harus memantau akta baharu itu nanti bagi memastikan bank bertanggungjawab dan mematuhinya.
Read more: FOMCA syor tubuh pasukan khas bawah BNM pantau aduan penipuan dalam talian
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