Week 9: Institutions of Consumer Rights Protection

 Assalamualaikum w.b.t,

   This post is my reflection on the ninth week of classes for MKTG 4312 (Responsible Consumerism). The chapter is divided into 4 parts and the first part is on consumer organizations at global, regional, national, and local levels. At the global level, there is the Consumers International group with its headquarters located in London. The organization tackles issues all around the globe and not just in developed countries. 

Source: Consumers International

   Regionally, several organizations focus on a specific region. The organizations are ANEC and BEUC. Nationally, in Malaysia, several organizations are fighting for consumer rights protection. The popular ones are CAP, PPIM, and FOMCA. The next part of the chapter talks about consumer protection laws. As stated in a previous chapter, in Malaysia, consumers are protected by the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599). 

    The next part of the chapter talks about the role of government agencies in protecting consumers' rights. In Malaysia, the government agency that is responsible for this is the Ministry of Domestic Trade, under Co-Operatives and Consumerism. Currently, the minister who is responsible is Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub. The last part of the chapter talks about non-government agencies' roles in protecting consumer rights. NGOs are in charge of providing advocacy and research on consumerism. For example, CAP has done plenty of advocacy for the people of Penang. On their website, they provide a place for consumers to put their complaints and worries. 

Thank you for reading. What do you think the government can do to further protect consumers' rights in Malaysia? Comment down below!