Bernama news

Published: Thursday March 18, 2010 MYT 5:57:00 PM

42% of consumers unaware of their rights

SHAH ALAM: Some 42% of consumers in the country are unaware of their rights, including the right to claim damages through the consumer claims tribunal, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

He said the percentage was obtained during a study involving 5,000 respondents last year.

"Based on the study, they had no idea about their rights nor the avenue for redress should their rights be infringed," he told a news conference after handing over a grant of RM500 each to 117 Selangor school consumer clubs here Thursday.

On the consumer claims tribunal, he said, many respondents were not aware that they only needed to pay RM5 to open a case with the tribunal and that they did not need to appoint a lawyer to handle the case.

There are 23 consumer claims tribunals nationwide with seven new ones in the pipeline including one each in Selangor, Sabah and Pahang. He said consumers should utilise the facility provided by the tribunal.

"Last year, 6,491 cases were brought up nationwide, with 97.17 settled," he said.

Of the total, 44% were solved when both sides agreed to settle their cases outside the tribunal. Complainants who won the cases and had awards in their favour constituted 32.83% and 16.82% settled through negotiations. Only 3.07% had their cases rejected.

He said each case brought to the tribunal would need about 45 days to dispose of.

All consumer claims tribunal at the moment are located at the ministry's offices nationwide.

"The ministry is prepared to increase the number of tribunals if necessary," he said. - Bernama