Consumer protection law has always been relied on as a mechanism to safe guard consumer interest and generate economic activities. The need for a more reliable mechanism is inevitable especially more so in the present era of globalisation and flourishing E Commerce activities. This article discusses the current trend of consumer protection laws, which has been embraced in the United Kingdom and the European Union. In the same tenor, the writer will address the current flaws and inadequacies of consumer protection laws in Malaysia in the face of globalisation. The writer also concurrently proposes reforms aimed at injecting the concept of consumer welfarism.
Reference
1. See section 6 of the Malaysian CPA (Act 599) which prohibits exclusion clause nevertheless section 2(4) of the same Act state the application of this Act shall be supplemental in nature and without prejudice to any other law regulating contractual relations. See section 62 of SOGA 1957 (Act 382) which permitsexclusion clause to be negatived or varied by express agreement. ThusCPA, section 6 can be invalidated by section 62 SOGA 1957 due to its supplemental nature under section 2(4).
2. Sakina Shaik Ahmad Yusoff, 'Consumer protection in Malaysia' (2000) 5HUKUM322; Sakina Shaik Ahmad Yusoff & Azimon Abdul Aziz. Dasar Pengguna Negara. Kerangka Kerja Perlaksanaan Strategi Perundangan. Projek Penyelidikan Jangka Pandek UKM, KodProjek II 005/2002, FakultiUndang-undang, pg. 135.
3. Malaysia National Consumer Policy 2002, para 5.3.3
4. Heng Leong Motor Trading Co v. Osmanbin Abdullah[1994] 2 MLJ456: Tan Chong & Sons Sdn Bhd v. Allan McKnight[1983] 1 MLJ220: see Halsbury's Law of Malaysia, MLJ, Kuala Lumpur, 2004, Vol. 24, pg. 192.
5. Rahmah Ismail & Sakina Shaik Ahmad Yusoff, 'The development of consumer law in Malaysia: With special emphasis on defective product provisions under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, Asian Law Institute Inaugural Conference 2004, pg. 500.