Awareness of consumers rights at moderate level, says Fuziah

KUALA LUMPUR - The level of Malaysians' awareness of consumerism and their rights as consumers, especially when making purchases decisions, is still at a moderate level.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh said the findings were based on the Malaysian Consumer Empowerment Study 2019–2022, conducted by the ministry.

She said a report of the results of the study found that the Malaysian Consumer Empowerment Index (CEI) was at a moderate level with a score of 63.1 per cent.

"Other details are that purchase consideration is at 68.8 per cent, financial literacy at 62.5 per cent and ability to make complaints and compensation claims are at 56.1 per cent.

"We want the 33 million Malaysian users to become empowered users. Users who are smart, know their rights, and dare to act," she said in the Dewan Rakyat here on Wednesday.

She said this in response to a question from Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS - Batang Sadong) on whether the ministry will re-evaluate consumer policies, especially the National Consumer Policy, given that the ministry's focus has increased on the cost of living issue.

Commenting further, Fuziah said the ministry was also improving the National Consumer Policy (DPN) 1.0.

"All the important elements of consumerism have been identified to be included in the upcoming DPN improvements in line with the new direction of the ministry and the concept of Madani Malaysia," she said.

She added that the government, through the ministry, will also conduct studies on other countries with high levels of consumer empowerment and how consumer associations play a role in becoming a "benchmark".