PETALING JAYA: Any introduction of a lemon law should include clearer warranty claims, streamlined refund or replacement procedures, and mandatory recalls for defects as key improvements, consumer groups proposed.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive Saravanan Thambirajah said the body expected the outcome of the lemon law study to produce a comprehensive framework that not only covered vehicles but also other high-value consumer products.
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“The surge in complaints about defective products, ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to online purchases of appliances, reveals significant gaps in current consumer protections.
“Fomca expects the lemon law to address these gaps,” he said.
On warranty claims, Saravanan said procedures for returns, refunds, or replacements of defective products should be streamlined, with mandatory recalls for defects identified in specific batches of vehicles or appliances.
“Consumers should be protected from widespread manufacturing faults,” he said.
Lemon law refers to consumer protection laws that provide remedies for buyers of faulty products, particularly vehicles, that fail to meet quality and performance standards.
In many countries, lemon laws ensure consumers can get defective products repaired or replaced or have their money refunded.
Saravanan said Fomca is invol-ved in engagements related to the law’s feasibility study.
“We have shared our input during these discussions, stressing the necessity for stronger consumer protection, particularly in light of evolving trends in product ownership and online purchases,” he added.
On July 3, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali told Parliament that studies on the proposed lemon law were expected to be completed by September.
The study on the proposed law started in June involving a group of expert consultants.
Saravanan said the introduction of a lemon law would push industries to become more consumer-friendly and accountable.
When such a law is enforced, he said manufacturers and sellers would have a greater respon-sibility to ensure product quality, and this would foster an envi-ronment where businesses would be more proactive in addressing consumer grievances.
“This will ultimately create a safer and more reliable market. Consumers can purchase with greater confidence knowing that they have legal recourse should something go wrong,” he said.
Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the introduction of a lemon law should cover both old and new vehicles.
“Rather than applying a price range for a lemon law on cars, we propose that regardless of the vehicle price, the law must still apply.
“We also propose that the lemon law be integrated into the Consumer Protection Act like Singapore’s Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA) 2003.”
On the possibility of expanding the law to other consumer products, Mohideen said the government should first focus on implementing the lemon law on vehicles.
This would provide better implementation of the law and help improve enforcement in applying it, he added.
Armizan had said Putrajaya planned to introduce a lemon law or amend existing laws related to defective vehicles next March for a more comprehensive consumer protection framework.
He also said that the law might be expanded to cover not just cars but other products as well.
On Oct 18, he said studies on the law to protect car buyers were in the final phase.
Armizan said the full report would be presented to the ministry in November, with the study to be used to guide the ministry in improving the legal framework before the recommendation is taken to the Cabinet.
