The ministry of domestic trade and cost of living (KPDN) says it has drafted a cabinet paper proposing amendments to the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to include provisions for a lemon law, which would bolster consumer rights with regards to automotive purchases.
According to KPDN deputy minister Fuziah Salleh, the paper will be submitted for policy approval at the cabinet level before amendments to the act are implemented. She added that the ministry is currently obtaining feedback from relevant ministries and agencies, including the finance. economy and transport ministries, the attorney-general’s chambers and the ministry of investment, trade and industry (MITI).
She said that the paper follows on the completion of a six-month legal study looking into the need for a lemon law, which was conducted from June to November last year.
“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,” she told the New Straits Times.
She said that 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 would be appropriate for these legal principles to be integrated through amendments to the act. “Integrating these principles through amendments to the act is a practical and effective approach,” she said.
“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, she added.
A lemon law is a form of consumer protection, and there have been many calls to implement it here in the past. In essence, it requires cars under warranty that are found to be defective or unsafe to be fully repaired by the manufacturer. In the event the vehicle is deemed to be irreparable after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the buyer can be offered a refund or replacement.
The scope of what is covered by a lemon law vary depending on how it is implemented, but it generally covers defects that can significantly impact the functionality or safety of the car. Countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the Philippines have already adopted some form of lemon law.
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We have been hearing about this lemon law…months even after the perodua kenching manis incident that sparked huge backlash at Perodua..still now ,only DRAFTING stage.
Since then,there have been countless cases of buyers stuck with problematic cars.
In this age of AI,just use Chat GPT to do the drafting..whats so time consuming? Just get a dozen drafts,fine tune and brain storm..less than 2 weeks ,dah siap.
Why r we paying menteris,deputy menteris,dept penjawat awam salaries n pension,for a mundane task?
So,we r at ,memantau stage…akan memantau,sedang memantau,tapi belum siap memantau.
What a joke.
High time to get the Akmal dude to hoo haa all the pending lemon cases.
hahah…not to forget…our lemon m-ister…delay delay…until mushroom dah masak dy. Dragging feet.
You bayar political campaign for them or tauke of car manufacturer? There’s your answer why so many things tak jalan. Doesn’t matter which side…they are all getting paid.
I remember what my ustaz said, problem with modern world is they always studies first and not doing practical training. This is why modern mentality are failing and we are now doomed as so called civilization
Car buyer : WHY are you siding with Car Manufacturer? My new after 3 months car KOYAK !!! IAM a victim.
Tribunal President : Sometime Car Manufacturer are also VICTIMS. I issue AWARD for you to return the car to workshop to repair AGAIN and AGAIN. NO cost are awarded.