Disputes over amount as small as 95sen have reached Consumer Claims Tribunal
PETALING JAYA: From a 95sen train ticket to RM26.77 clothing, no amount is too small when filing a claim with the Consumer Claims Tribunal.
Aimed at empowering and protecting consumers, the tribunal has seen many changes with amendments made to consumer laws throughout the years.
“All the amendments were done to improve consumer experiences,” the tribunal said in a written reply to The Star.
It said the number of claims has seen an increasing trend since 2020 when there were 5,761 cases.
Last year, 8,824 claims were filed, with 3,146 claims successful.
The total amount of awards was RM30,797,924.24.
The smallest compensation awarded was for a Mercedes-Benz aircond filter worth RM19.
In 2023, 8,455 claims were filed, with 3,116 successful, amounting to RM32,450,343.34.
The smallest award was for an expired food product worth RM10.90.
In 2022, 7,109 claims were filed and 2,605 won, totalling RM13,706,592.16. The smallest claim was RM26.77.
The smallest claim for 2021 and 2020 were for a RM2.70 car polishing sponge and 95sen train ticket.
The tribunal addresses a wide range of consumer disputes, from telephones, jewellery, electronics, furniture, vehicles and food supplements to faulty products or misleading sales practices.
The sectors involved included insurance, banking, education, car workshops, home renovation and travel agencies besides health and beauty treatments and transportation.
The tribunal also said the claim limit was revised from RM25,000 to RM50,000 in the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act A1598).
“Another amendment was increasing the penalty for failure to comply with an award from RM5,000 to RM10,000,” the tribunal said.
Any party failing to comply with tribunal award within 14 days can be fined up to RM10,000, imprisoned up to two years, or both.
An additional daily fine between RM100 and RM5,000 also applies.
Claimants can report non-compliance to the Enforcement division of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
While consumer complaints are directed to the ministry’s Enforcement Division, tribunal claims can be filed directly at any of its 16 branches nationwide or online.
Both filing of and follow-ups on claims can be done through its website at https://ttpm.kpdn.gov.my.
