Syabas urges govt to make individual meter compulsory

 

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) has urged the government to require all multi-storey residential units to change their bulk water meter to individual meters. Syabas Corporate Communications and Public Affairs general manager Abdul Halem Mat Som said this was necessary to tackle problems faced by the residents with the building management regarding water and bulk meter issues. He said the problem that often occurred was when the building management failed to settle the bills with Syabas, causing all the residents unable to get water when supply to the bulk meter was cut.

Obama pledges protections for credit-card users

By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer Ben Feller, Associated Press Writer – 44 mins ago

 

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said Thursday he is determined to get a credit-card law that eliminates the tricky fine print, sudden rate increases and late fees that give millions of consumers headaches.

“I trust that those in the industry who want to act responsibly will engage with us in a constructive fashion, and that we’re going to get this done in short order,” Obama said, delivering a pointed message to leading executives of credit-card issuing companies after a closed-door White House meeting.

Both the House and the Senate are pursuing bills to give consumers greater protections as an expansion of new rules slated to take effect next year. Obama said his economic advisers will examine the various proposals and work with Congress and the industry, but he made clear he wants to sign a bill into law.

Shocking finds at food factories

Friday April 17, 2009

The STAR online

By LIM CHIA YING

WHEN having your favourite char kuay teow, do you ever think how the rice noodles are made or processed or from where it is sourced from?

While the consumers rarely actually ask such questions, it is certainly the onus and responsibility of the food stall operators to conduct checks on the sources or suppliers.

However, this is not often the case, especially if they are small-time operators who are only concerned about purchasing the cheapest noodles from suppliers offering them competitive wholesale rates. They are not interested in how the noodles are processed, so long as they can get it cheap.

Fomca: It just gives breathing space

 

The STAR online

Wednesday March 11, 2009 FEDERATION of Malaysian Consumers

Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah has expressed disappointment over the mini budget. “It is basically maintaining the status quo, not solving problems and I doubt that it will create any confidence among consumers,” he said.

Muhammad Shaani was referring to the RM674mil in subsidies allocated by the Government to avert price increase of necessities such as sugar, bread and wheat flour. “The Government should have increased the spending power of the people instead of just giving breathing space because at the end of the day, the people will still find it hard to make ends meet,” he said.

“And what about other things? There is no provision to reduce the price of these and in general, the standard of living has not improved,” Muhammad Shaani said.

Ministry reverses decision on insulated fish boxes

The STAR online

Monday March 9, 2009

By SYED AZHAR, MANJIT KAUR, CHRISTINA TAN, YENG AI CHUN and YUEN MEIKING

JELI: The controversy over the fish container ruling ends after Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed stepped in to settle the dispute.

The minister yesterday announced to rescind – with immediate effect – the decision compelling the use of insulated fish containers sourced only from one supplier.

“I had a meeting with several importers recently. With immediate effect, the importers can use the insulated containers on a voluntary basis.

“Those using the boxes can expect incentives from the Government next week. So, the issue over the containers is now considered closed,” Mustapa told reporters after launching the national-level Veterinary Month 2009 at Puapatani R&R here yesterday.

Many still unaware of FT complaints bureau

THe STAR online

Thursday February 12, 2009

 

 THE Federal Territory Public Complaints Bureau received a total of 526 public complaints for the whole of last year. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator T Murugiah said of the total, 451 of them had been resolved while the balance were still pending. Murugiah said the bulk of the complaints were those involving government agencies like the National Registration Department, the Health Ministry, the Public Works Department and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Consumers clamour for lower credit card charges

The STAR online

Sunday February 1, 2009

By LOH FOON FONG

PETALING JAYA:

With lending rates reduced and lower cost of funds, consumers are now rallying for credit card interest rates to be slashed to help them get out of debt.

Credit card interest is now pegged at 18% a year (1.5% a month) making it an uphill task for those with large outstanding balances to be debt-free.

If one can only afford to pay the minimum 5% repayment each month, it could take forever to repay as balances snowball under the high interest rate.