By Suman Md Mizanur Rahman
Malaysia today is far removed from early Independence years, largely agriculture driven, where consumers had to be given only the basic needs of food, sanitation and hygiene, access to basic education.
The middle-income group is far upmarket, enjoying good income through various resources, upgrading of skills, and foreign trade etc., so the needs and lifestyle of Malaysians are that of comfort and luxury, the mall culture, and access to online shopping for essentials and other lifestyle products. This is the norm today.
Realising the changed consumer behaviour and purchasing patterns, the government of Malaysia, has reformed the policies protecting the local consumers, so they get a fair deal, on every purchase of goods and services.
The government has taken several measures to protect consumers such as introducing consumer protection statutes, enhancing institutional capacity to ensure enforcement of consumer protection laws, and acknowledging the importance of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection 1985.
However, it is the creation of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry or MDTCA in 1990 that gave a major boost to consumer protection and welfare in Malaysia. The nineties saw the government’s integration of the consumer protection policies with the national development policies. This has given the consumers a new ray of hope. If you live in Malaysia, and want to be protected for goods you buy, enjoy quality, and have a right to information and protection, it is all available now.
They now enjoy: fresh consumer welfare policies, consumer organisation for quality discussions, redressal of grievances cell, National Consumer Policy that integrates with globalisation in 2002, raising standards of the locals, and ensuring better quality of life, a separate tribunal for homebuyers and property investors, ethics and regulation for media and publicity sectors. There is law and order that is fair and consumer-centred, be ruled by fair policies, enjoying freedom of buying what you need, at a price you can afford.
The world of consumption is different from 50 years ago. Both poor and rich consumers face the impact of accelerating economic and cultural globalisation. The Malaysians enjoy international quality in goods and services, and laws that protect them against injustice.
Malaysian consumers can speak out, reach out, end all speculations of ‘what’ ‘why’ and ‘if’, they have different groups that can address all their complaints and concerns. They need to seek, explore, constantly update on laws and policies being updated, for their benefit and welfare.
The governmental approach is very liberal and fair in its approach to protect consumer rights, in every possible way. Urbanisation of cities, modernisation of housing, roads, transport, all add new value to living in Malaysia.
See the changes around you, grab them, examine, explore new buying patterns, enjoy better life, better quality of life, better income and greater health benefits. The gloom is over! Wake up, be aware and stay awakened. ***
(Suman Md Mizanur Rahman is a student in Department of Business Administration, Kulliyyah of Economic and Management Sciences (KENMS). The article is part of ‘Responsible Consumerism’ course. The views expressed here are those of the writer/author and do not necessarily represent the views of IIUMToday,)