KUALA LUMPUR: Studies on the proposed lemon law to protect buyers of cars and other goods that fail quality and performance standards are expected to be completed in September this year, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
According to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, the study on the proposed lemon law started in June this year and involved a group of expert consultants.
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“The results of this study will be used as a basis for consideration to decide on whether there should be improvements on existing legal framework or to enact a new legislation,” said Armizan during Ministers' Question Time in Parliament on Wednesday (July 3).
At the same time, Armizan said present laws to compensate users who purchase faulty goods were under the Consumer Protection Act (Act 599).
According to Armizan, his ministry has identified several laws similar to the lemon law in Malaysia - Consumer Protection Act (Act 599), Contract Act 1950, Sale of Goods Act 195 and Hire-Purchase Act 1967.
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Armizan also said his ministry will continue holding engagement sessions with stakeholders in regards to the proposed lemon law.
“This includes the Malaysian Consumerism Symposium 2024 which was aimed at obtaining feedback from stakeholders regarding the lemon law.
“From the symposium, it is found that many, including industry players, have responded positively to better protect consumer rights through the lemon law, which will also expedite the development of the national automotive industry,” said Armizan.
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Armizan was responding to Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) who asked about efforts to amend or enact new laws to better protect car purchasers.
Elaborating further, Armizan said that Act 599 has been amended several times over the years and the latest was in 2019, where awards from the Tribunal For Consumer Claims have been increased from RM25,000 to RM50,000.
Armizan had previously said Putrajaya plans to introduce a lemon law or amend existing laws related to defective vehicles in March next year for a more comprehensive consumer protection framework.
Lemon law is a statute that grants remedies to the purchasers if the car has a defect that impairs or significantly affects its use, value or safety and which cannot be repaired within a specified period.
