Fomca calls for minimum wage, loan moratorium during MCO
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January 15, 2021 2:13 PM
PETAING JAYA: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) has urged the government to offer workers a minimum wage and extend the loan moratorium in the wake of the second movement control order (MCO).
Its president, Marimuthu Nadason, said the government must seriously consider the impact the reimposed MCO will have on workers and businesses.
“They will need financial support. Fomca urges that all affected businesses and workers will be supported at least with a minimum wage to help them through the crisis. Abandoning the workers without any support is just plain cruel.
“Next, Fomca calls on Bank Negara to extend the loan moratorium until at least August. Bank Negara’s silence and indifference to the plight of the rakyat is deafening. There should be an immediate moratorium on all loans to assist those impacted by the MCO,” he said in a statement.
He also suggested that insurance companies be prevented from increasing premiums during the period.
While movement restrictions were necessary, Marimuthu said, it was important to ensure vulnerable communities were not left behind.
“Let us not forget or neglect the low income and the vulnerable who are suffering and will be impacted even worse by these new measures. A responsible government should take concrete and firm measures to support them,” he said.
According to the Malaysian Employers Federation, the economic fallout of the various movement restrictions caused 30,000 businesses to cease operations, resulting in 100,000 job losses, last year.
LETTER | Digital inequality in PJ - seniors disadvantaged
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15 Jan 2021
LETTER | It has indeed been a harsh new reality for consumers living under the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
In its obsession to “go digital”, MBPJ is demanding that assessment billing can only be made through digital means, without an alternative, and further warning that the council will not entertain exceptions for late payments. Harsh action that reflects how the local government has not considered the plight of the digitally disadvantaged.
They seem to deny that there is gross digital inequality between the rich and the poor; the rural and the urban and the able and senior citizens. There are indeed many poor and vulnerable groups in MBPJ's jurisdiction who due to poverty, lack of confidence or digital skills are unable to navigate the digital world confidently. They also deserve fairness and justice.
Even private utility companies provide online as well as physical bills and incentivise consumers through discounts to shift towards online billing platforms. The authorities should indeed be more sensitive towards the suffering of the vulnerable rakyat.
No effort has been made to identify and empower vulnerable consumers to help them through the process.
What is extremely disappointing are the so-called counsellors and local politicians who we had hoped would act to protect consumers and enhance their well-being. They have chosen to remain silent instead.
It is indeed laudable for the local government to go digital. It reduces paper wastage as well as brings savings to the agency. But please think of the welfare of all the rakyat, not just the technically savvy.
Read more: LETTER | Digital inequality in PJ - seniors disadvantaged
FOMCA mohon moratorium dilanjutkan susulan darurat, PKP
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Januari 13, 2021 @ 11:21am
KUALA LUMPUR: Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) mencadangkan supaya moratorium dilanjutkan bagi membantu golongan terkesan, susulan pengisytiharan darurat dan pelaksanaan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP).
Timbalan Presidennya, Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, berkata dalam situasi semasa, ada rakyat yang belum mendapat pekerjaan selepas diberhentikan, berdepan pemotongan gaji, selain tidak jelas mengenai masa depan mereka.
Selain itu, ada golongan yang bekerja sendiri seperti peniaga kecil yang turut mengalami kesukaran, dengan sesetengah daripada mereka mungkin terpaksa menutup perniagaan.
"Walaupun kedai makan dan gerai penjaja di negeri yang dikenakan PKP dibenarkan beroperasi, namun jumlah pelanggan mereka berkurangan kerana ramai yang tidak keluar rumah.
"Selain itu, rentas negeri dan daerah juga tidak dibenarkan, yang menyebabkan sesetengah perniagaan kecil yang menjadi tumpuan pelancong turut terjejas," katanya kepada BH, hari ini.
Kelmarin, Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengumumkan pelaksanaan PKP di enam negeri selama 14 hari bermula tengah tadi membabitkan Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya dan Labuan), Melaka, Johor dan Sabah, susulan peningkatan besar jumlah kes COVID-19 di negara ini.
Read more: FOMCA mohon moratorium dilanjutkan susulan darurat, PKP
Student loses RM84,600 in digital currency scam
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Tuesday, 12 Jan 2021 | 12:35 PM MYT
A female student lost RM84,600 after being deceived by a digital currency investment scam advertised on Facebook.
Melaka Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt E. Sundra Rajan said in the incident on Jan 5, the 25-year-old victim was by the suspect via WhatsApp and briefed about investing in bitcoin.
He said the victim, who studies at a private higher learning institution, was promised a lucrative return within 72 hours, and was instructed to register on a website between Jan 5 and Jan 8.
"The victim made several payments to five different accounts in stages to buy bitcoin totaling RM84,600.
"The suspect continued to direct the victim to make payments until she ran out of money, which led the victim to inform her family members," he said in a statement, Tuesday.
Sundra said the victim then lodged a police report on Jan 8 at the Tengkera Police Station and the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud.
In the meantime, he advised the public not to be fooled by advertisements and offers to participate in investments that promise lucrative returns in a short time, as well as to obtain investment-related information through official sources such as Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission. – Bernama
'State of emergency won't void general insurance claims'
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13 Jan 2021, 8:22 am
The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) has given its assurance that the proclamation of emergency, which began on Jan 11 and will last until August, won't void general insurance claims.
"PIAM wishes to assure all general insurance policyholders that claims incurred during the Emergency Proclamation period will be paid according to their policy terms and conditions.
"All policyholders, both businesses and individuals, are advised to obtain more
information from their respective insurance companies," it said in a statement.
Yesterday, Istana Negara confirmed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to a national state of emergency at the government's request.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the emergency is to combat the spread of Covid-19 and assured that elections will be restored once the pandemic is under control.
In his speech on the proclamation of emergency, Muhyiddin also noted efforts to pressure him into holding snap polls during the pandemic, something which the prime minister said he is unwilling to do.
Umno has accused Muhyiddin of using the emergency to get around the fact that he now runs a minority government.
Three Umno MPs have renounced Muhyiddin to date, leaving him in control of 109 out of 220 MPs. Two more seats are vacant.
LETTER | Some lessons we can learn amidst much suffering
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5 Jan 2021 | Tuesday
LETTER | The year 2020 was supposed to be the year we became a “developed” nation. Instead, it was a year of great suffering for many workers and consumers. It was a year of a health crisis as well as an economic crisis.
As a health crisis, many lost their loved ones or were infected by the dreaded disease. Apart from a strictly physical health crisis, it affected others more deeply.
Mental health issues have increased. Suicides have increased. Beyond that, there were reports of increasing domestic violence.
As an economic crisis, many lost their jobs or had their incomes reduced. Many were stuck with debts or commitments they could not fulfil. Basic needs were affected. Children’s education was affected.
None of this is new. But how do we move forward from here into 2021? There was indeed much suffering, but there are also some lessons to be learnt.
One simple message going viral that “2020 was not a year to expect and plan for what we do not have but appreciate what we do have” can be a start. Let me add some other thoughts.
We need to invest in our health. We do not know when this pandemic will end or the next begin. The next pandemic is not an 'if' but a 'when'. We need to take care of our health and strengthen our immune systems. The suggestions are nothing new: healthier food, exercise, and adequate sleep.
Furthermore, we need to invest in supplements and regular check-ups. Will these protect us? If not completely, certainly they can contribute, to some extent, to reducing the risks and mitigating the negative impacts.
Read more: LETTER | Some lessons we can learn amidst much suffering
Govt offering RM200 e-rebate to buy energy-efficient refrigerators, air conditioners in 2021
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Monday, 04 Jan 2021 3:40 PM MYT
Malaysian households will now be able to apply for an RM200 e-rebate to buy locally-made energy-efficient refrigerators or air conditioners.
Users could apply for the Sustainability Achieved via Energy Efficiency (Save 2.0) programme via the Shopee app, and get an approval within 14 days.
Once approved, users would get RM200 credited to their app wallet.
The programme was available on a first-come-first-serve basis for Malaysians registered with a domestic electric utility company (Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Sarawak Energy Bhd or Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd).
The Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda) is executing the programme, in collaboration with the Energy Commission and Shopee.
It aimed to educate the public about energy-efficient appliances and increase the adoption of appliances with four or five star energy ratings.
Last November, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah announced the programme would benefit 140,000 households using an RM30mil allocation under Budget 2021.
Young Msians buying gold as investment make killing when price dips
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December 1, 2020 @ 11:29pm
SHAH ALAM: Young Malaysians appear to be more investment savvy, as many took advantage of a dip in gold prices last week by investing in the precious metal.
According to Khalifah Jewels Shah Alam branch manager Mohd Faiz Mohd Taib, in recent years, his clientele has become younger, and keen on investing in gold.
When the price of the precious metal dropped last week, customers made a beeline for the outlet's branches in Shah Alam and Bangi to trade in old gold or buy new gold.
"Among the factors that affected the price of gold was the United States presidential election and the announcement of the development of the Covid-19 vaccine. This saw the price of gold dip and people are keen to take up the opportunity to buy the precious metal for investment when it is cheaper.
"Also, we have been offering special promotions at our jewellery outlets, since it is the store's sixth anniversary, so people were taking advantage of the promotion to purchase gold jewellery either for the first time or as part of our regular customers.
"We also offer trade-ins to our customers at the current price of gold. Some of our customers purchase their new jewellery, which is much more modern and sleek, by trading their old ones with us," he said.
Read more: Young Msians buying gold as investment make killing when price dips
KWSP: Hati-Hati Dengan Scammer, Ramai Yang Sedang Memerhati- Perunding Kewangan
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24 Dec 2020
Hati-hati melabur, jangan sampai melebur
Nampaknya ramai yang sudah buat permohonan untuk pengeluaran wang KWSP melalui program i-Sinar. Jadi, adakah anda sudah merancang perbelanjaan dengan wang tersebut?
Bagaimanapun, dalam keghairahan menerima wang jangan sesekali alpa dengan janji-janji palsu daripada pihak tidak bertanggungjawab seperti scammer.
Baru-baru ini, Astro Awani ada menemubual seorang perunding kewangan iaitu Abuayubul Ansari. Beliau menasihatkan risiko melabur pada waktu ini sangat tinggi kerana para scammer sedang memerhati mangsa untuk ditipu.
"Kalau dapat duit ini jangan masuk pelaburan sebab banyak scam sudah memerhatikan anda dan ia sangat memberi risiko.
"Ketika pandemik ini eloklah kita simpan sebab tidak tahu bila kemelesetan eknonomi ini akan berakhir dan sekurangnya kita bersedia ada simpanan," jelas Abuayubul atau lebih dikenali sebagai Abang Abu.
Tapi Abang Abu turut mencadang anda untuk menggunakan sedikit wang tersebut dengan menghadiri kursus-kursus terutama berkaitan digital. Tak pun, anda boleh menggunakan inisiatif kerajaan yang ada dengan kursus percuma.
Jadi, apabila sudah menerima wang kelak simpan dan gunakan dengan sebaiknya.
Sumber: Astro Awani
Pengguna boleh kemuka tuntutan terhadap pembekal khidmat telekomunikasi
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Disember 23, 2020 17:48 MYT
KUALA LUMPUR: Pengguna boleh mengemukakan tuntutan terhadap pembekal perkhidmatan telekomunikasi sekiranya terdapat kemungkiran atau ketidakpuasan terhadap perkhidmatan yang dijanjikan.
Pengerusi Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia (TTPM) Wan Rufaidah Wan Omar berkata jika tuntutan itu turut melibatkan isu terma-terma kontrak yang tidak adil, pihaknya boleh menimbangkan untuk mengetepi atau mengubah terma-terma yang tidak adil itu yang termaktub di bawah Akta Perlindungan Pengguna 1999.
"Memandangkan kontrak pembekal perkhidmatan lazimnya telah disediakan secara standard dan tidak dirundingi oleh kedua-dua pihak, pengguna disarankan untuk membaca syarat dan terma kontrak sebelum menandatangani atau bersetuju untuk menerima perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan," katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam ceramah bertajuk 'Kesilapan Umum Pengguna Sebelum dan Selepas Melanggan Perkhidmatan' anjuran Forum Pengguna Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (CFM) yang berlangsung di laman sosial Facebook CFM, baru-baru ini.
Beliau yang merupakan salah seorang penceramah di program itu berkata demikian ketika disoal oleh seorang penonton sama ada terdapat sebarang akta yang boleh melindungi pengguna sekiranya timbul percanggahan dalam kontrak.
Mengulas lanjut, Wan Rufaidah berkata pihaknya akan meneliti semula kandungan kontrak perkhidmatan terbabit sekiranya kes 'berat sebelah' itu dilaporkan kepada TTPM.
Read more: Pengguna boleh kemuka tuntutan terhadap pembekal khidmat telekomunikasi
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