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'Face reality, exercise your rights'
2010/07/17

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should learn to make changes to their lifestyle to cope with the subsidy cuts in fuel, cooking gas and sugar.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations president Datuk N. Marimuthu said consumers should accept reality that prices had gone up and act accordingly.

"If people can observe simple things like bringing coffee or food to work, they can make changes but the question is, will they do it?"


He said a bowl of curry mee at a stall costs cheaper than at fancy restaurants, yet some are still willing to pay more at the restaurants.

"There is a need for maturity of the consumer on what kind of patronage they want to do.

"People need be street smart, too. They should go to places which offer cheaper food without compromising on cleanliness," he said.


He also urged consumers to ask for receipts each time they eat at restaurants and compare the prices.

"If you think the restaurant is charging too high, then lodge a complaint with the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

"When more people complain, then the operators will be more careful with their prices," he said.


He said boycotting places which overcharge was a good way to exercise consumers' rights.

In George Town, the Consumers' Association of Penang praised the Federal Government's move to reduce subsidies for fuel and sugar.

Its president, S. M. Mohamed Idris, said in a statement yesterday that the subsidy reductions would encourage consumers to use less of the products and was part of a comprehensive plan to manage national finances sustainably.

He said as fuel formed the largest share of the subsidy bill, a higher price that was more reflective of the market price would encourage the public and industries to use less petrol, diesel and gas.

As for sugar, he said: "Sugar is nothing less than a toxic substance, so it makes no sense to subsidise it when it causes so many health problems."

Read more: 'Face reality, exercise your rights' http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/12dooma/Article/index_html#ixzz0u14DCBjA