KNOW THIS: TCCM section head Mastikawaty shows important information useful to members of the public.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TCCM) has dealt with a total of 204 cases of various claims by the public this year.
Its section head Mastikawaty Zawawi disclosed this to reporters yesterday adding that 88 out of the 151 cases heard by the tribunal were withdrawn and settled out of the tribunal.
However, she pointed out that 11 cases were solved based on discussion with the two parties involved, 41 cases were awarded after hearing and only three cases rejected for lack of evidence.
From the cases handled, Mastikawaty had a word of warning for consumers: “Be extra careful when you buy goods and services because you can be cheated and get conned.”
She added that the public must be aware of the backgrounds of individuals and companies they are dealing with so they can solve their claims successfully.
“Always get receipts or documentations from any transaction after you purchase your goods and services.
“The public can always complain about the price differences displayed in any shop and can seek claims if they are not happy and if they are cheated,” she added.
Mastikawaty cited that the many tribunal cases that they had dealt with involved banking services, telecommunication, “scratch and win” and other scam dealings.
She also disclosed, based on their records, that claims on scams and “scratch and win” cases had tremendously dropped compared to last year.
She also revealed that TCCM is in working collaboration with Bank Rakyat to help claimants with a subsidy to pay the fees if they seek their case for a judicial review.
She revealed that the maximum claim that one can make in the tribunal is RM25,000 and if any two parties (claimant or respondent) fail to pay the amount awarded by the tribunal they be can be charged under section 117 of the Consumer Protection Act .
If any one of the two parties do not comply, they can be fined RM5,000 or sentences to two years jail or both by the court.
She revealed that those who wanted to make claims can go to their nearest TCCM office in Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang Claimants can also file their case online at the tribunal’s official website www.kpdnhep.gov.my or call toll free 1800-88-9811.
For further information and advise the public can call 082-459 022459028.