Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will draft and amend several key laws this year to bolster consumer protection, said Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He said this includes drafting provisions for a 'Lemon Law' under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to establish procedures and dispute-resolution mechanisms for compensation claims involving new vehicle purchases.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, existing laws need amendments to address loopholes. The ministry plans to engage stakeholders and benchmark against best practices from other countries to ensure an effective approach, including buy-in and industry support. Additionally, the ministry will focus on drafting or amending e-commerce laws to handle rising consumer complaints and support a more sustainable and conducive e-commerce ecosystem.
Armizan noted that regulations are needed to ensure goods purchased through e-commerce platforms meet specified quality and quantity. These reforms are part of five clusters of KPDN's legal and institutional reforms targeted for tabling in Parliament this year. The ministry also plans to amend the Direct Sales and Anti-Pyramid Scheme Act 1993 to enhance oversight of direct selling and high-risk investment schemes.
Moreover, the ministry will draft the Movable Property Security Interest Law to establish a registration system for security interests over movable property used as loan collateral. Amendments to the Competition Act 2010 and the Competition Commission Act 2010 aim to empower the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) to regulate and address cartels and monopolies.
Armizan emphasized KPDN's focus this year on implementing action plans that deliver direct benefits to the public, measured by three indicators: blueprint, footprint, and imprint. The directional framework introduced in 2024 will continue, focusing on Enforcement Agility, Driving the Domestic Economy, Consumer Capability and Advocacy, and the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL). By 2026, the framework will shift to outline the three indicators to fulfill public aspirations.