KUCHING: Consumer awareness at 52 per cent in this state is slightly higher than the national 51 per cent due to good publicity on consumerism issues by the local media.
SUPPORTIVE PAPER: Huzir presents the Special Consumerism Appreciation Award to feature writer Margaret Apau, representing The Borneo Post while Wee looks on.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry Sarawak director Wan Huzir Wan Sulaiman said consumers here know their rights without the ministry’s staff having to push them to exercise their rights.
“The state is as big as West Malaysia and thus it is great that consumer awareness here is higher that the nation’s. This is greatly attributed to reports on consumerism and consumer issues by the local media,” Huzir said at a ministry gathering with the media on Sunday evening.
Consumer awareness was high here so if rights were breached, consumers knew how to complain.
He hoped consumers would continue to give feedback to the ministry to improve its services.
He revealed that there were 160 enforcement officers in the state, including price checkers.
Huzir said the ministry would hold a ‘Buy Made in Malaysia Product’ campaign in Miri from Dec 9 to 11 to involve locals and attract tourists from Brunei.
Kuching Division Journalist Association president Alice Wee said the local media was active in spreading consumer news.
“The subject is close to the heart of the local media because they are themselves consumers. It is hoped that events like this will be a platform for the local media to foster rapport with the ministry’s staff,” Wee said.
Each media organisation was presented a special consumerim appreciation award.
The event was graced by some 150 staff members and the local media.