Empowering Consumers through Energy Literacy
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Energy is a very critical part and parcel of our daily lives. We use it for lighting our homes, cooking food, playing music, powering a wide range of appliances and for many other personal and household purposes.
However, excessive consumption of energy is both expensive and harmful to the environment. When we use excessive energy, a lot of waste is released to the environment. Coal and fossil fuels are often burnt to produce energy and in the process, different kinds of gases and residual particles are emitted to the environment. If these emissions are not controlled, these toxins can pollute the environment and affect our health as well.
Further, the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions is the energy industry. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth. This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist.
The problem we now face is that human activities – particularly burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), agriculture and land clearing – are increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases. This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which is contributing to warming of the Earth.
At the personal and household level, consumers are facing increasing utility bills. According to the World Energy and Ember Review 2021 Report, average per capita consumption of the average Malaysian consumer increased from 1000 kilowatt-hour in 1985 to more than 5,000 kilowatt hour in 2019. Further in Malaysia, it is estimated that 82% of electricity users are domestic users. Most of the energy in Malaysia is sourced from oil, coal and gas.
Harga sayur-sayuran naik hingga 40 peratus
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15 Jun 2021
SHAH ALAM - Beberapa harga sayur-sayuran mengalami peningkatan mulai Isnin susulan pelaksanaan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Diperketatkan (PKPD) di Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
Antara harga sayur-sayuran yang dijangka meningkat ialah tomato, timun jepun, cili, kobis, kacang buncis, lada manis atau lada benggala dan semua jenis salad.
Difahamkan, peningkatan harga berlaku antara 30 hingga 40 peratus kerana pengeluaran terpaksa dihenti serta-merta.Punca utama ialah 12,000 pekerja asing dan tempatan di kawasan tanah tinggi itu tidak dapat keluar bekerja.
Menurut Setiausaha Agung Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Pekebun Sayur Malaysia, Chay Ee Mong, bekalan memang akan terjejas kerana setiap hari Cameron Highlands mengeluarkan sebanyak 565 metrik tan sayur-sayuran.
“Semua sayur-sayuran di Cameron Highlands naik kerana baki bekalan sayur-sayuran tidak sampai dalam 40 peratus. Jadi bakinya itu pasti akan ditawarkan pada harga yang tinggi.
"Hari ini (Isnin) patut sudah boleh nampak kesan kenaikan harga di pasaran. Dijangka petang ini (Isnin), sayur-sayuran akan sampai ke pasar borong. Sebab ini consignment, sudah jual baru mereka bayar kepada petani. Baru kita tahu harga akan melonjak atau tidak tetapi mesti harga melonjak sebab bekalan sayur kurang,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian pada Isnin.
Pada Sabtu, Menteri Kanan (Keselamatan), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob mengumumkan, antara kawasan di Cameron Highlands yang dikenakan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Diperketatkan (PKPD) bermula Isnin ialah Kampung Raja iaitu Sungai Ikan; Blue Valley; Taman Matahari Cerah; Taman Desa Corina dan Kampung Baru Kampung Raja.
Ekoran daripada itu, dianggarkan sebanyak 65 peratus pengusaha kebun sayur di kawasan Cameron Highlands terjejas susulan PKPD terbabit.
Dalam pada itu, Ee Mong berkata, produk sayuran Cameron Highlands bukan sahaja untuk pasaran tempatan malah untuk dihantar ke Singapura.
“Biasanya ada yang dihantar ke pasar borong Singapura. Untuk pasaran tempatan, akan dihantar ke Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur.
MCMC collaborates with telcos to organise scam prevention campaign as losses exceed RM38mil in Q1 2021
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Monday, 14 Jun 2021
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that a telecommunications crime prevention awareness campaign focusing on phone scams will begin today (June 14).
The campaign will focus on reminding consumers about three types of phone scams, namely voice phishing (the caller impersonates an authority figure to obtain personal banking information from the victim), SMS scam (victim receives an SMS urging them to confirm a banking transaction via an included phone number or link to a fraudulent website) and Transaction Authentication Codes scam (victim is contacted by a scammer impersonating a family member or friend asking for the TAC number, claiming that it has been accidentally sent to them).
MCMC said the campaign will provide tips to identify scams and information on preventative measures via various social media platforms. It will also see the involvement of 15 telco service providers namely Altel, Celcom, Digi, Maxis, Merchantrade, PAVOCOMMS, RedOne, RedTone, Time, TM, TuneTalk, U Mobile, Webe, XOX dan Yes.
The commission said in a statement that fraudulent call scams have cost victims approximately RM38,198,730.01 in losses with 1,392 cases as of March 24 this year, based on reports lodged with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
PDRM records further show that in 2020, the financial losses for reported fraudulent call scams had increased to RM287,301,039.90 with 6,003 cases compared to RM254,586,210.94 with 5,725 cases in the previous year, according to MCMC.
The regulatory body further stated that it had received 1,290 reports related to phone scams throughout 2020 until May 2021, adding that those involved may be prosecuted under Section 420 of the Penal Code while fixed line and mobile numbers found to be involved in fraudulent activities could be terminated under Section 263 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
MCMC also urged the public to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages via SMS from unknown individuals and to immediately refer suspicious incidents to the relevant authorities.
Members of the public can provide information and reports on scam-related incidents to the CCID Scam Response Centre through the 03-2610 1559/03-2610 1599 hotline, which is open every day from 8am to 8pm.
Give NGOs a chance for audience with the King, says Fomca
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June 11, 2021 12:22 PM
PETALING JAYA: A consumer group is requesting for civil society to be given the opportunity for an audience with the King, saying NGOs had “their eyes and ears on the ground”.
Commenting on the King’s meeting with political leaders since Wednesday, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said that too often, there is a “huge gap” between the reality on the ground and the perception of politicians.
Depending on their position, Fomca president Marimuthu Nadason said, politicians may be over optimistic or overly critical.
He said the parties they represent would very much influence their views on the rakyat’s situation and what needs to be done.
“It is our feeling that the NGOs have their eyes and ears on the ground. They are closest to the rakyat.
“They better understand their needs and concerns and maybe better on how best to move forward to overcome the challenges the people face and improve their well-being,” he said in a statement.
All political party leaders were granted an audience with the King to discuss, among others, the Covid-19 crisis and the emergency.
Earlier today, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had proposed to the King not to extend the emergency, which is scheduled to be lifted on Aug 1.
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FOMCA terima aduan pengguna sukar dapat minyak peket
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11 Jun 2021
SHAH ALAM- Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) dan ahli gabungannya terutama di luar bandar menerima aduan daripada pengguna mengenai kesukaran untuk mendapatkan minyak masak peket di tempat mereka.
Timbalan Setiausahanya, Nur Asyikin Aminuddin menggesa Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (KPDNHEP) membuat pemantauan dan meningkatkan pengeluaran kuantiti minyak masak peket supaya lebih ramai pengguna dapat menikmati subsidi minyak masak ini.
Menurutnya, apabila kenaikan minyak sawit yang terlampau tinggi buat masa ini, tidak mustahil ada pihak yang gelap mata untuk mengaut keuntungan lebih.
“Pemantauan ke atas minyak masak peket perlu dijalankan secara menyeluruh supaya tiada pihak yang bermain dengan kuantiti minyak masak yang bersubsidi ini dan isu integriti juga terpelihara,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan pada Khamis.
Beliau berkata, FOMCA amat berterima kasih dengan pihak KPDNHEP negeri yang bertungkus lumus dalam membendung penyeludupan minyak masak ke kawasan sempadan.
“Aduan pengguna juga amat berguna dalam membantu pihak KPDNHEP untuk menumpaskan kegiatan penyeludupan minyak masak peket,” katanya.
Dalam pada itu, Nur Asyikin mempersoalkan mengenai isu kualiti minyak masak peket bersubsidi.
Beliau berkata, ketelusan kualiti minyak masak sangat penting kerana ia melibatkan isu kesihatan pengguna yang menggunakannya.
“Pihak berkuasa perlu memantau kualiti minyak masak peket secara berkala, bukannya berdasarkan aduan pengguna supaya kualitinya sentiasa terkawal rapi.
Read more: FOMCA terima aduan pengguna sukar dapat minyak peket
CAP: Ensure local cattle, buffaloes free from lumpy skin disease
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June 10, 2021 @ 9:42am
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has called on the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to activate a surveillance programme to detect, control and prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) nationwide.
This follows recent reports that LSD, which infects the skin of livestock, was detected in a cattle farm in Simpang Pulai.
LSD is a zoonotic disease (meaning that it cannot infect humans) caused by a type of Capripoxvirus.
The disease is known only to infect cattle and buffaloes.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said, according to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the disease was first identified in Africa sometime in 1929 and has since spread to other parts of the world.
He said LSD had reportedly spread in several Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, and Myanmar and most recently in Thailand.
"The LSD not only causes chronic debility and death in infected farm animals, it also has an economic impact on the world as it disrupts the trade of livestock and livestock products, globally.
"In view of this, CAP calls on the DVS to tighten the conditions for the import of live cattle from abroad in collaboration with the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS)," he said today.
Mohideen said the DVS should also take action on any consignment of imported cattle that show symptoms of LSD at the quarantine station.
On Tuesday, the DVS announced a ban on cattle and buffaloes from Thailand after LSD cases were reported in 41 provinces in the country.
Read more: CAP: Ensure local cattle, buffaloes free from lumpy skin disease
Selesai segera isu minyak masak botol
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Jun 9, 2021 @ 8:54pm
KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan diminta mencari jalan untuk mengawal kenaikan harga minyak masak dalam botol supaya ia tidak membebankan pengguna.
Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, berkata mereka maklum mengenai harga minyak mentah meningkat, namun ketika rakyat berhadapan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) dengan sekatan pergerakan penuh, perkara itu perlu dipertimbangkan.
Katanya, perlu difahami ketika ini rakyat ada yang tertekan kerana hilang pekerjaan, kurang pendapatan maka kerajaan perlu kurangkan beban ini dengan melihat kepada harga barang keperluan.
"Saya percaya ketika PKP ini pergerakan terhad, jadi ramai ambil keputusan beli minyak masak dalam botol kerana jumlahnya lebih banyak berbanding dalam paket yang biasanya dihadkan satu pelanggan hanya dua atau tiga paket saja.
"Perlu diingat ketika PKP ini ramai yang duduk di rumah maka keperluan minyak masak itu mungkin bertambah sepatutnya dipertimbangkan penurunan harga," katanya kepada BH mengulas isu kenaikan harga minyak masak botol yang kini mencecah sekitar RM30 bagi botol lima kilogram.
Semalam, Menteri Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi, Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali berkata, harga minyak masak botol di pasaran sekitar RM30 bagi lima kilogram adalah munasabah memandangkan kenaikan harga minyak sawit bertapis yang tinggi pada masa ini.
Katanya, purata harga minyak sawit mentah (MSM) antara RM4,000 hingga RM4,500 satu tan menyebabkan kenaikan harga minyak sawit bertapis lebih tinggi kepada sekitar RM5,000 satu tan.
Mohd Yusof turut mencadangkan supaya pengeluaran minyak masak paket ditingkatkan.
Katanya, untuk tidak membebankan perlu dicari jalan penyelesaian menang-menang untuk semua pihak.
Sementara itu, Pemuda Perikatan Nasional (PN) mahu harga minyak masak botol diselaraskan bagi mengurangkan beban rakyat.
Bank ‘buru’ peminjam guna notis peguam ketika PKP, kata FOMCA
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GEORGE TOWN: Bank dan firma undang-undang mula “memburu” pelanggan yang gagal membuat bayaran dengan mengenakan yuran undang-undang terlalu tinggi ketika waktu sukar ini, kata kumpulan pengguna.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Saravanan Thambirajah, berkata pihaknya menerima banyak aduan daripada pengguna bahawa bank mula mengenakan caj tambahan ke atas semua hutang mereka.
Beliau berkata, berdasarkan aduan diajukan melalui pusat aduan pengguna kebangsaan, jika surat peguam dihantar kepada pelanggan yang ingkar, bank akan mengenakan caj tersebut ke akaun mereka.
Saravanan berkata, tindakan bank itu juga pantas, di mana surat peguam akan menyusul dalam masa kurang sebulan, terutama kepada mereka yang sebelum ini adalah pembayar yang baik tetapi bergelut untuk bertahan akibat PKP.
“Kejam kerana bank mencari jalan untuk menghukum pelanggan ketika berdepan pandemik. Kebanyakan mengadu selama ini mereka membayar tepat pada waktunya dan tiada tunggakan. Mereka adalah pelanggan yang menggunakan arahan debit langsung, di mana wang ditolak terus dari simpanan mereka.
“Sektor perbankan dilihat seperti cuba meraih keuntungan daripada mereka yang benar-benar terkesan akibat wabak itu. Bank Negara Malaysia perlu menyiasat sama ada ini adalah modus operandi baharu bagi bank dan peguam untuk memperoleh keuntungan,” katanya dalam kenyataan.
Saravanan berkata, bank pusat perlu mengaudit berapa banyak kes yang mendapat notis peguam dan berapa banyak bank yang mengenakan caj ke atas pelanggan mereka sejak PKP bermula.
Beliau berkata, idealnya moratorium atau bantuan lain perlu ditawarkan kepada yang berhak, terutama mereka yang sebelumnya ini membuat pembayaran tepat pada waktunya.
Read more: Bank ‘buru’ peminjam guna notis peguam ketika PKP, kata FOMCA
Banks ‘making a killing’ with legal notices during MCO, says Fomca
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June 9, 2021 5:31 PM
GEORGE TOWN: Banks and legal firms are making a killing by charging exorbitant legal fees on those who miss out on payments during these hard times, a consumer group has claimed.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) CEO Saravanan Thambirajah said they had received many complaints from consumers that their banks have levied extra charges on top of whatever they owed.
He said that based on complaints lodged through the national consumer complaints centre, if a lawyer’s letter is sent to a defaulting customer, the bank would charge the sum to their account.
Saravanan said the bank action was swift, too, with lawyer’s letters given within less than a month, especially to those who had been good paymasters but are struggling to make ends meet due to the MCO.
“During the time of the pandemic, it is cruel that banks look for ways to penalise customers. Most complained that they had been paying on time and had nothing overdue. These were customers with direct debit instructions, where money was deducted directly from their savings.
“It looks like the banking sector is trying to profit from people truly affected by the pandemic. Bank Negara Malaysia must investigate whether this is a new modus operandi for banks and lawyers to make a profit,” he said in a statement.
Saravanan said the central bank must audit how many cases were served with lawyer notices and how much banks charged their customers for these since the MCO began.
He said that ideally, a moratorium or other assistance should be offered to the deserving, especially those who have been previously servicing their dues on time.
“BNM should temporarily revise their code of conduct and guidelines with regard to serving lawyer’s notices during the pandemic. Many consumers have lost their jobs or had their incomes substantially decreased.”
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Elderly hard-hit by insurance premium hikes
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09 Jun 2021
Senior citizens are feeling the huge impact of rising medical insurance premiums, according to a consumer advocates’ group.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) is urging Bank Negara Malaysia, the country’s central bank, to intervene, according to a report by Free Malaysia Today.
Paul Selvaraj, FOMCA’s secretary-general, said that senior citizens often rely on their savings to meet daily expenses. These savings are usually from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
However, more than 50% of EPF contributors over age 54 have savings below MYR50,000 (SG$16,000), while two-thirds (67%) do not have a minimum of MYR240,000.
Rising costs of living, coupled with increasing insurance premiums, are placing financial strain on senior citizens, he argued.
“The sharp and unjustified increases by the insurance companies put pressure on senior citizens to lapse in paying their premiums and thus they lose their coverage,” Selvaraj said, as reported by Free Malaysia Today. He cited a survey conducted by FOMCA, which found that 42% of the respondents reported premium increases between 20% and 230%.
The lack of regulation, he continued, will allow insurers to increase premiums at will and to the detriment of the elderly.
“This is a cruel approach towards senior citizens,” Selvaraj said. “But without protection by the regulators, it appears that consumers, especially the senior citizens, are at the mercy of the insurance companies if they want to maintain their coverage.”
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