KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Most Malaysians believe that it is the government's responsibility to protect consumer rights and thus avoid taking up consumer matters in a proactive manner.

They prefer not to speak up or wait for others to get things done though they may be the one in the losing end as consumers.

"This group wants the government to take action but often forget that there is nothing much that can be done if no one lodges a complaint? Is this the Achilles heel of consumerism in Malaysia?

"It is about time that Malaysian consumers should change their ways and boost their confidence in tackling consumerism related matters and learn of new expertise to emerge as smart consumers," said Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, the Secretary General of Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).

He told Bernama consumers should note that any changes in the attitude should start from the individual and followed by the family and the community.

And on Fomca's part, it wants to help by educating the consumer society in the country among others through the National Consumer Campaign, or known through its abbreviation as 3K.

THE 3K

The 3K programme launched in June 2008 will continue for four years until 2012.

With the theme "Changes Begin With Me", the campaign is carried out by Fomca with the help of four of its major partners - Petronas, National Council of Women Centres (NCWC), and the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) and the Malaysian Youth Council(MBM).

According to Muhammad Sha'ani, 3K has been planned to create awareness and educate consumers in facing greater challenges ahead.

Among others, the impact due to the economic factors and globalisation, the rise in the price of the essentials and also the rise in crime rates that all in turn impact the quality of life of the consumer.

"We want consumers to be more critical of the market. We also want the Malaysian consumer society to be aware of their own actions, plan before purchase, and avoid wastage and adopt sustainable consumption," explained Muhammad Sha'ani.

Elaborating further on 3K, he said that what is being done now is more of disseminating information on consumerism along with inputs on the economic status of the world and the globalisation phenomenon.

The consumer, he said, should be made to understand that in a free market the government could not be controlling the prices of all items other than the few basic necessities.

"This will cause the manufacturers to think twice in producing price controlled items as the returns are not attractive.

"This in turn causes shortages in supply and opens the door for import at a higher cost, where in the bigger picture locals are denied of employment opportunities," he said.

THERE IS RESPONSIBILITY

Therefore, he explained, in facing rising prices and shortages in supply consumers should be more responsible in their actions and should avoid or reduce purchases.

"The right consumer attitude can help to correct the market attitude," explained Muhammad Sha'ani.

He also reminded consumers not to be taken easily by alluring advertisements.

"Consumers must conduct critical evaluation of these advertisements," he said.

REVIEWING 3K DURING 2009

A total of 171 workshops for 3K were held in 2009 throughout the nation.

The campaign is targeted on rural communities with 99 workshops held for this group, schools (23), higher education institutions (23), associations (15) and corporate bodies (11).

Among the workshops at national level is the save electricity campaign held on Feb 27 in conjunction with the E-Day celebrated in Europe.

The campaign is meant to raise awareness among consumers, that by conserving electricity they not only save money but they help reduce the green house gases as well.

Another of the 3K programme is women as consumers where they are encouraged to plan their purchases and adopt sustainable approach in their daily activities.

"Week Without TV" from 21-27 April was to encourage parents to watch television no longer than two hours daily, which gives them more time to spend with their children.

Muhammad Sha'ani noted that based on the Media Users Data, children in Selangor in the 5-10 age group spend on average 18.3 hours each week watching television without parental supervision.

Another of the 3K programme to help curtail overspending is "Day Without Spending", held on every July 16. Throughout the day consumers are encouraged not to spend.

As one of the way to alleviate the financial burden of the consumers, Fomca holds campaign "Plant Yourself", encouraging people to plant their own vegetables.

The campaign was held on Nov 14 at Dewan Taman Tuanku Jaafar, Nilai, with seeds and fertilisers distributed to participants.

PROGRAM 2010

As for 2010, Muhammad Sha'ani pointed out that Fomca would focus on several new approaches in implementing the 3k programme including the number of workshops.

A total of 200 workshops have been lined up throughout the year with the rural areas given priority.

"The consumers in towns have numerous choices in making a purchase including at the hypermarkets but those living far, the choices are limited to a handful of shops.

"The prices at the shops where they buy maybe beyond what is set by the government," he explained.

Other than the workshop, Fomca also reaches out through Radio 24 Bernama with "The Power of the Consumer Community" programme that is aired every Friday at 4.15 p.m.

Fomca is expected to launch the KonsumerKINI website in early February that will highlight its views and stance on issues and government policies.

DISATISFIED

Muhamamd Sha'ani who is also the Chief Executive of the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) noted that the number of complaints received has been increasing year on year.

NCCC received 18,345 complaints in 2006, 24,873 in 2007 and 28,080 in 2008 and for last year (2009), the number shot up to 32,000.

"In 2009, bulk of the complaints were regarding goods and services that fell short of what has been advertised. There is also significant number of complaints against telecommunication companies," he said.

Despite the big number, Muhammad Sha'ani said there were still many consumers who did not bother to lodge a complaint.

Through the 3K workshops, he said, many of the participants have voiced out their grouses but only a few had the courage to lodge a complaint.

Also through the workshops, the 3K team received feedback that the common problem faced by the consumers is public transportation and high cost of products.

"In this regard, consumers must realise that their problem will come to the attention of the parties concerned only if they make a complaint.

"Moreover, when there are many complaints regarding something, this will push the parties concerned to take action. When there is no complaint, it is assumed that everything is OK," he added.

Consumers who need information on the 3K campaign can look at www.kkk.org.my

By Melati Mohd Ariff
-- BERNAMA