With reference to the prime minister’s remarks on the roles and responsibilities of the consumer movement, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations wishes to respond and enlighten the PM, as well as the general public on the endeavors of consumer associations in the country.

From his remarks, we believe that the PM has yet to fully understand the roles and activities of government and the roles and activities of consumer organisations in Malaysia. Fomca is actively involved in providing consumer education, addressing consumer complaints, conducting consumer research and running consumer campaigns.

Through collaboration with the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry, Fomca has undertaken a series of programmess in schools that has reached the masses for many years, benefitting in particular, thousands of school students throughout Malaysia.

Consumer education programmess are also being undertaken in rural and urban communities, women groups, youth groups and students from institutions of higher learning.

With the continuing education programmes, it is envisaged that a new generation of more mindful, discerning, and responsible consumers with a more critical attitude towards consumption will be developed.

Additionally, organisations such as the National Consumers Complaints Centre is providing free public services in assisting consumers to seek redress and exercise their consumer rights.

The centre received more than 18,000 complaints in 2006 and much more in 2007, and has acted accordingly to address them. Additionally, Fomca has recently established a consumer research centre to provide evidence-based support for our positions relating to consumer issues and problems.

Most importantly, Fomca through collaboration with other like-minded NGOs, is conducting a comprehensive four year National Consumer Campaign to create awareness and educate the consumers of global changes, how this affect their lives and how to respond to these changes.

Apart from rhetoric, the government has yet to come out with any concrete long-term plans to help consumers through these difficult time. Additionally, we have advocated for more effective laws, policies and programmes as well as more effective enforcement of these laws to protect the interests of consumers.

Yet, much too often our requests and our suggestions have fallen on deaf ears, and we continue to have weak and ineffective laws and inadequate enforcement.

If the government is mindful about protecting the welfare and rights of consumers, then it should focus on strengthening its legislative framework and greatly enhance the capacity of its enforcement to ensure that these laws are adequately enforced.

A strong legal framework and effective enforcement will ensure that ‘rogue’ traders are punished; which will then harmonise the market itself. Fomca will be more than willing and pleased to advise the prime minister on matters regarding consumer protection.

With limited resources, Fomca and the consumer movements are contributing substantially towards consumer empowerment and consumer protection.

It is therefore irresponsible and iniquitous for the government to simply shift the responsibilities of consumer protection solely onto the shoulders of consumer organisations, when the government itself seems to be precarious about protecting the consumers with adequate laws and enforcement.

Essentially, consumer organisations and the civil society movement itself exist to fill the void of societal commitments unfulfilled by the government. As a non-profit entity, we are driven and motivated by our civil passion to help communities and society at large.

Therefore, the government should instead lend support to NGOs to continue their service to the public, rather than casting unwarranted and irresponsible remarks.

The writer is chief executive, Fomca.