Consumers to lose out if travel booking platforms regulated: Fomca
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26 Sep 2021 10:00AM
President says competition among agencies means better deals for customers
KUALA LUMPUR – Consumers will be the ones at a loss if the government takes up the call by budget hoteliers to regulate online travel booking platforms.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers’ Associations (Fomca) president Datuk Marimuthu Nadason said online travel agencies (OTAs) now give consumers the benefit of choice, unlike in the past.
Competition among the various platforms means cheaper bookings for hotel rooms, as rival companies attempt to outdo one another.
Citing an example, Marimuthu said before the existence of OTAs, directly booking a single night’s stay at a five-star hotel could cost around RM600.
“But with these online platforms, you see that sometimes, there are promotions of up to 50% off the original rate,” he told The Vibes.
“Through these agencies, it’s easier to check if prices are lower during non-peak periods like weekdays,” he said, adding that consumers also have the option of comparing the prices offered by the different service providers.
He was responding to a proposal from the Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association for the government to regulate OTAs on the grounds that these booking agencies are eating into their profits.
Read more: Consumers to lose out if travel booking platforms regulated: Fomca
CADANGAN MENURUNKAN HARGA SET UJI RTK COVID-19 KENA PADA MASANYA.
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26/09/2021
KOTA KINABALU: Pertubuhan Hal Ehwal dan Pelindung Pengguna Sabah (CAPS) menyambut baik cadangan kerajaan menurunkan harga siling untuk Kit Ujian Kendiri (RTK) Antigen COVID-19 yang menggunakan sampel air liur.
Penurunan harga set RTK ini amat dialu-alukan kerana inilah masa yang sesuai untuk kerajaan memperlihat dan membuktikan keprihatinannya kepada rakyat yang selama ini tertekan dengan kegawatan kewangan untuk kelansungan hidup mereka.
Presidennya, James Baga (gambar), berkata dengan penurunan harga siling alat set kit tersebut sudah pasti membawa berita baik kepada masyarakat pengguna kerana secara tidak langsung ianya dapat meringankan beban kerana alat set tersebut dapat diperolehi dengan harga mampu milik.
Selain itu katanya, CAPS mencadangkan kepada kerajaan agar membenarkan penjualan set uji kendiri RTK ini dijual secara terbuka dan bukannya terhad kepada kedai-kedai ubat dan farmasi.
“Selain memudahkan orang awam untuk mendapatkannya, ianya juga secara tidak lansung dapat menurun dan menstabilkan harga kerana terdapat persaingan harga antara pembekal, pemborong atau peruncit dalam pasaran.
“Disamping itu, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia 㽶Ƶ) juga perlu menyenaraikan jenama set uji kendiri RTK yang diluluskan agar pengguna mendapat maklumat tepat dan sahih untuk mengelakkan mereka terbeli ujian kit yang tiruan dan tidak berkualiti,” katanya dalam kenyataan media hari ini.
Read more: CADANGAN MENURUNKAN HARGA SET UJI RTK COVID-19 KENA PADA MASANYA.
Where every dial-in matters
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Wednesday, 22 Sep 2021
THIS year alone, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) has so far received approximately 70 complaints about telephone calls to public and private organisations going unanswered.
Its senior manager Baskaran Sithamparam said this made many callers frustrated and even angry.
As many are working from home, consumers are finding it hard to contact organisations to address their problems.
In his attempts to assist complainants, Baskaran said he too was unsuccessful when calling one organisation.
“This organisation had three phone lines, yet no one picked up,” he said.
A majority of the complaints were levelled at the private sector, as consumers wanted to make appointments and enquire about various matters.
Though some organisations have chatbots in place, consumers say not all issues can be answered by automated responses.
“Some issues can only be solved when a service consultant is present at the other end of the line.
“So, organisations must make this service available.
“If not, at least provide the email address of a person who can handle the issue,” said Baskaran.
Sales and leadership consultant Valentino Lee said nothing damages an organisation’s reputation faster than an unanswered phone call.
All sanitiser guns must come with warning label, says Fomca
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September 22, 2021 8:54 AM
GEORGE TOWN: All sanitiser guns should carry warning labels to remind users that the liquid should not be sprayed on people, a consumer advocate said today, following warnings from experts on its adverse effects on health.
The health ministry, too, has warned about the ill-effects of the contents of such sprays, typically bleach, when it comes into contact with the skin or is inhaled.
Yesterday, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said such sprays from sanitiser guns can be used for surface cleaning but that manual wipe downs were still the best way to disinfect surfaces.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Marimuthu Nadason said that besides clear warning labels, the government should keep a close eye on those selling the nano-mist sanitiser guns online or in shops.
He said there were listings that showed false claims such as it being safe to use on human bodies and that certification had been obtained from the health ministry and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
Speaking to FMT, Marimuthu said the types of chemicals being sold together with these devices must be monitored, as it might be a lethal mix.
He said that online shopping malls should also carry warnings above all listings and remove those that carry false claims.
Marimuthu added that sellers must carry important specifications, such as chemical type, how it should be stored, and other safety requirements in a clearly visible portion of the online malls selling the sanitiser guns and chemicals.
He called for the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry, along with the health ministry, to order these online malls to do so and at the same time check online listings to spot offenders.
Read more: All sanitiser guns must come with warning label, says Fomca
Call to punish water polluters
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Sunday, 05 Sep 2021
PETALING JAYA: After two water supply interruptions in the Klang Valley within a week, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) is calling for stern action against polluters and for a water bill discount to be offered.
Its chief executive officer T. Saravanan said the unscheduled water cuts within days of each other were unacceptable and consumer frustration was palpable all over social media.
“Consumers are becoming the victim of these culprits. We want justice and those who are responsible must be apprehended.
“Raw water protection is very important and all stakeholders must take initiatives to protect it.
“The authorities must carry out an investigation and take stern action to curb these problems,” he said.
Saravanan said some payment waivers from the utility company or the state government should be considered due to the inconvenience faced by consumers.
On Aug 31, a total of 463 areas in the Klang Valley experienced an unscheduled water cut due to odour pollution.
The pollution was detected at the water intake for the Jenderam Hilir raw water pump station, leading to a temporary shutdown of the Semenyih water treatment plant.
Water supply in the affected areas was fully restored by Sept 2.
On Sept 3, the Sungai Semenyih treatment plant had to be shut down following another odour pollution detected in the raw water source.
Jangan sampai pemilik premis terbeban - FOMCA
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September 11, 2021 @ 6:03pm
KUALA LUMPUR: Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) berharap cadangan untuk mewajibkan ujian kepekatan karbon dioksida di dalam premis tertutup tidak akan membebankan pemiliknya.
Menyifatkan cadangan itu sebagai inisiatif yang baik, Timbalan Presidennya, Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, berkata ujian itu tidak menyebabkan pemiliknya terpaksa mengeluarkan kos yang tinggi sehingga menanggung kerugian.
"Cadangan itu dilihat satu inisiatif baik kepada pemilik untuk menarik pelanggan ke premis mereka melakukan urusan.
"Namun, jika ia membabitkan kos tinggi untuk setiap ujian dijalankan, ini boleh merugikan pemilik premis. Perlu fikirkan juga alternatif untuk menangani masalah kos ini," katanya kepada BH, hari ini.
Beliau mengulas cadangan pakar kesihatan awam supaya pemilik premis tertutup mengukur tahap kandungan karbon dioksida sebagai langkah mengurangkan risiko penyebaran COVID-19.
Pemeriksaan kepekatan karbon dioksida secara berkala membolehkan pemilik premis menguji kecekapan sistem pengudaraan dalaman supaya ia berada dalam keadaan baik dan mengelakkan jangkitan COVID-19 yang tersebar melalui udara.
Mohd Yusof berkata, ujian berkala mengukur tahap karbon dioksida juga membantu meningkatkan keyakinan pelanggan dan orang awam untuk berurusan di sesuatu premis termasuk pasar raya, pejabat dan restoran.
Sumber:
Celik hak pengguna, waspada jual beli tidak adil
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September 15, 2021
SHAH ALAM, 15 SEPT: “Pengguna secara takrifannya melibatkan kita semua, pengguna yang merupakan kumpulan ekonomi yang terbesar dalam ekonomi negara, mempengaruhi dan dipengaruhi oleh hampir setiap keputusan ekonomi peribadi dan umum. Tetapi mereka adalah satu-satunya kumpulan penting yang tidak diurus secara berkesan, yang pandangan mereka yang tidak didengari” – John F. Kennedy, bekas presiden Amerika Syarikat (1962).
Semua pihak sedang terkesan akibat penularan wabak Covid-19 yang seterusnya menyebabkan rakyat dibelenggu dengan krisis ekonomi sebaik sahaja arahan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) dikeluarkan sejak Mac 2020 di mana rakyat tidak boleh keluar bekerja seperti biasa.
Perkara ini menyebabkan ramai rakyat yang makan gaji telah hilang pekerjaan, pemotongan gaji, cuti tanpa gaji manakala bagi rakyat yang bekerja sendiri pula terpaksa menggunakan wang simpanan yang ada untuk meneruskan kehidupan yang mendatang.
Apabila banyak pihak yang terdesak, terdapat pula isu peniaga yang tidak bertanggungjawab mula mengambil kesempatan di atas kesempitan rakyat. Oleh sebab itu, pengguna perlu melengkapkan diri dengan ilmu kesedaran hak dan tanggungjawab pengguna dan pengguna juga perlu lebih bijak dalam membuat pilihan supaya anda tidak terpedaya dengan urusan jual beli barangan atau perkhidmatan yang tidak adil.
Pihak KPDNHEP telah menjalankan kajian Consumer Empowerment Index (CEI) bagi tahun 2020 yang merangkumi tiga domain utama iaitu keputusan membeli, celik kewangan dan tebus rugi. Hasil daripada kajian tersebut, peratusan CEI bagi pengguna secara keseluruhannya di peringkat nasional ialah 63.1 peratus yang bermaksud tahap kesedaran pengguna Malaysia berada di tahap sederhana. Manakala CEI bagi peringkat Selangor pula ialah 66.7 peratus.
Berdasarkan data tersebut juga menunjukkan beberapa daerah yang agak rendah tahap kesedaran pengguna iaitu daerah Sepang, Kuala Selangor dan Sabak Bernam. Pengguna di Selangor kebanyakannya mempunyai kesedaran mengenai isu kepenggunaan tetapi mereka agak skeptikal dengan tuntutan tebus rugi kerana kebanyakannya berpendapat usaha mereka tidak berbaloi dan juga urusan tuntutan yang agak rumit yang melemahkan semangat mereka untuk membuat tuntutan.
Di sini FOMCA ingin berkongsikan mengenai lapan hak pengguna untuk pemerkasaan diri pengguna. Pada tahun 1962, John F. Kennedy, bekas presiden Amerika Syarikat telah menetapkan empat hak pengguna yang utama iaitu hak untuk mendapatkan keselamatan; hak untuk mendapatkan maklumat; hak untuk membuat pilihan dan hak untuk mendapatkan ganti rugi.
Critical Need for Digital Financial Literacy
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The traditional financial economy was already evolving towards a digital financial economy, even before covid. However, during the covid and the lockdowns more people, even those who were never consumers of digital finance, began to move towards digital finance.
The movement of the traditional brick and mortar financial industry towards a digital financial industry has been greatly hastened by the covid pandemic.
While the younger generation have been more immersed in the digital economy, through online purchasing and online financial services, it cannot be assumed that young people automatically have all the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to apply to their use of technology.
They maybe fully immersed in the digital economy but are not necessarily digitally literate.
Digital financial economy would certainly be of greater challenges for the more vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, those unskilled in technology as well as groups with limited access to both the knowledge and skills as well as the means to use technology effectively and safely.
Fintech, that is using software, applications and digital platforms to deliver financial services to consumers and businesses through digital devices such as smartphones, is being increasingly used by Malaysians as well throughout the world, especially during the lockdowns due to pandemic Populations, such as senior citizens, who probably never have used fintech before have been often forced to do their banking online.
Penyedut oksigen: Kerajaan perlu tetap garis panduan - FOMCA
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14 September 2021
SHAH ALAM - Kerajaan perlu menetapkan satu garis panduan mengenai penjualan dan penggunaan penyedut oksigen mudah alih yang berada di pasaran supaya tidak menimbulkan risiko-risiko tertentu.
Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman berkata, semua peralatan perlu mendapatkan kelulusan daripada Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (㽶Ƶ) terlebih dahulu supaya dapat memastikan keselamatan dan kualiti produk berkenaan terjamin.
“Peralatan seperti ini (penyedut oksigen mudah alih) melibatkan penggunaan menyedut dan mungkin boleh menimbulkan risiko.
“㽶Ƶ perlu mengeluarkan satu garis panduan jika peralatan itu perlu mendapatkan kelulusan sebelum dijual di pasaran.
“Ia perlu melalui proses pemeriksaan makmal untuk menguji keselamatan peralatan tersebut dan juga manual untuk pengguna supaya tidak disalahgunakan,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian pada Isnin.
Mengulas lanjut, Mohd Yusof turut menyarankan orang ramai supaya mendapatkan khidmat nasihat daripada pakar tentang penggunaan produk tambahan oksigen terutamanya bagi yang membeli secara dalam talian.
“Sekarang ini banyak orang suka membeli melalui dalam talian sebab harganya murah tetapi kadang-kadang kita tidak tahu keselamatannya.
Sumber :
© 2018 Hakcipta Terpelihara Kumpulan Karangkraf
Nak kaya cepat, pekebun sayur rugi RM163,000
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Kuantan: Gelap mata untuk meraih keuntungan berlipat kali ganda dalam masa singkat, seorang pekebun sayur di Cameron Highlands dekat sini, kerugian RM163,000 selepas diperdaya satu pelaburan yang dilihatnya di Facebook (FB).
Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial Pahang, Superintendan Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof berkata, mangsa mula tertarik dengan pelaburan berkenaan selepas diperkenalkan seorang wanita bernama Winnie Wong.
Katanya, wanita berkenaan bukan sahaja memperkenalkan sebaliknya bertindak sebagai pengajar kepada mangsa mengenai selok belok sistem pelaburan menyebabkannya terpengaruh.
Menurutnya, mangsa yang tertarik dengan keuntungan berganda hasil pelaburan berkenaan mula melabur dengan membuat 14 transaksi ke dalam dua akaun bank secara berperingkat bermula dengan RM83,000 pada 7 September.
"Pada 8 September mangsa terus melakukan 10 transaksi lagi sebanyak RM45,000 dan pada 9 September mangsa membuat lapan transaksi sebanyak RM35,000 ke dalam satu akaun.
"Daripada sebanyak RM163,000 yang dilaburkan mangsa dikatakan meraih sedikit sahaja keuntungan diperingkat awal dia melabur," katanya melalui kenyataan semalam.
Katanya, selepas semua transaksi dibuat pada 9 September kira-kira 9 malam, mangsa mendapati pemilik akaun terbabit menutup dan membekukan akaun.
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