Lemon law on the table to protect car buyers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has drafted a cabinet paper proposing amendments to the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to include "lemon law" provisions, aimed at bolstering consumer rights in the automotive industry.
Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh told the New Straits Times that the paper will be submitted for policy approval at the cabinet level before amendments to the act are implemented.
She said the ministry is currently obtaining feedback from relevant ministries and agencies, such as the Finance Ministry, the Attorney-General's Chambers, Economy Ministry, Transport Ministry and Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
Fuziah said this follows the completion of a six-month legal study on lemon law, conducted from June to November last year.
The study was initiated to assess and recommend the necessary steps to be taken to enhance consumer protection in the automotive industry.
"Based on the findings of the study, the ministry concluded that there is a need to establish a specific legal framework such as a lemon law to address issues and limitations related to consumer protection in the automotive industry.
"Since the Consumer Protection Act already provides mechanisms for remedies and dispute resolution in line with the fundamental principles of lemon law, the ministry is of the view that it is appropriate for these legal principles to be integrated through amendments to the act.
"This would strengthen the existing provisions and establish new regulations that will outline more detailed procedures or mechanisms for dispute resolution, particularly for compensation claims involving new vehicles.
"Integrating these principles through amendments to the act is seen as a practical and effective approach," she said.
Currently, there are four existing legislations with lemon law features namely the Consumer Protection Act, the Contract Act, the Sale of Goods Act and Hire-Purchase Act 1967.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Experts call for relook on local STEM education as US tightens foreign student policies
KUALA LUMPUR: The tightening of foreign student policies in the United States may have disrupted the study plans of many worldwide, but Malaysian experts say this is an opportunity to relook at support and funding for local institutions. Former deputy higher education director-general Professor Datuk Dr Noor Azizi Ismail said with the right ecosystem, greater autonomy and stronger funding, local universities could offer high-quality education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. "We have the talent. Many of our academics are graduates of world-class universities, but they also possess a better understanding of our local context," he said to the New Straits Times. Noor Azizi, who is also former UMK vice-chancellor and Malaysian Graduate School Entrepreneurship and Business lecturer, acknowledged that the US remained home to top STEM institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard and Stanford. But he said the current restrictions could steer students toward equally strong alternatives. "In fact, our local universities may even be more relevant in addressing regional challenges and industry needs," Noor Azizi added. International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) principal director (Academic and Internationalisation) Professor Dr Amir Akramin Shafie echoed the view, saying that "brain stay" could strengthen domestic institutions and fill talent gaps, particularly in Malaysia's key sectors, like semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Amir Akramin, who is also a lecturer at IIUM's Mechatronics Engineering Department, highlighted the strengths of British and Australian universities, with the former known for its excellence in fundamental sciences and engineering, while the latter led in environmental science, mining and biotechnology. "The perception that the US is the sole leader in STEM might be partially outdated," he said. Amir added that Germany, Japan and South Korea had also invested heavily in STEM education and could now offer globally respected programmes. While some students might initially struggle to shift away from the "US dream", Amir Akramin believed many would adapt and develop new preferences. "This will enhance our diversity and increase the overall international experience of our STEM workforce," he said. Both academics also said with the current US policy, the country might experience reduced exchange of ideas and fewer international collaborations, which would eventually shift the global innovation landscape away from American institutions. "On the upside, a shift from "brain drain" to "brain stay" could help Malaysia strengthen local innovation, build institutional capacity and establish itself as a regional hub for STEM education," said Noor Azizi. On May 27, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a suspension of student visa processing as President Donald Trump's administration ramped up vetting of their social media. It was the latest move after Rubio rescinded hundreds of visas and the Trump administration moved to bar Harvard from admitting non-Americans. Rubio had used an obscure law that allowed the removal of foreigners for activities deemed counter to US foreign policy interests. The most visible targets had been students involved in activism over Gaza. Trump administration officials accused the students of anti-Semitism, charges strenuously denied by a number of those targeted.
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Malaysiakini
MCA claims credit for subsidised LPG ban reversal
MCA is taking the credit for the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's announcement that micro and small traders in the food and beverage sector can continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a permit. MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong said party president Wee Ka Siong and vice-president Lawrence Low were among the earliest to raise concerns over the recent enforcement of LPG subsidy restrictions. "This development directly...
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
All job contracts must be stamped from next year, says LHDN
PUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has announced that all employment contracts between employers and employees must be stamped with effect from Jan 1 next year. This directive is in line with the phased implementation of the Stamp Duty Self-Assessment System as outlined in Budget 2025, it said in a statement on Friday (June 6). ALSO READ: 'Stamp duty for job contracts another burden for businesses' LHDN said comprehensive stamp duty audit activities had already been conducted nationwide since January this year, following the issuance of the Stamp Duty Audit Framework. "Through the audit activities and compliance operations, one of the key findings has been that many employment contract documents between employers and employees have not been stamped as required under Item 4, First Schedule of the Stamp Act 1949, where the stamp duty is set at RM10," the statement read. It said that to ease the burden on employers, the Finance Ministry has agreed to exempt employment contracts executed before Jan 1 this year from stamp duty obligations. ALSO READ: Job contracts stamping rule could hurt SMEs This requirement is enforced based on the powers granted to the Finance Minister under subsection 80(1A) of the Stamp Act 1949 and the authority to remit late stamping penalties provided to the Collector of Stamp Duty under subsection 47A(2) of the same Act. In addition, employment contracts finalised from Jan 1 to Dec 31 this year will be subject to stamp duty. However, a remission of late stamping penalties will be granted, provided that the employment contracts are stamped on or before Dec 31, under the powers of the Collector under subsection 47A(2) of the Act. ALSO READ: Stamp duty on employment contracts burdens businesses, says association According to LHDN, employment contracts finalised from Jan 1 next year will be subject to stamp duty, and any delays in stamping will result in penalties being imposed. It urged all employers to review and update existing and upcoming employment contracts to ensure full compliance with stamping requirements as stipulated under the Act. – Bernama
