SIBU: The Consumers Claims Tribunal president Pretam Singh yesterday revealed that the state had recorded 242 cases until yesterday.
“Out of this number, 108 cases concerned goods and 134 concerned services, and out of the 242 cases, 210 had been settled,” he revealed after presiding over cases in the office of the ministry.
The tribunal was established under the Consumer Protection Act 1999.
“Our jurisdiction is to hear disputes between the consumers and traders or providers (suppliers) and the consumers could make claims not exceeding RM25,000 each,” he said.
The tribunal cannot touch on land matters or anything to do with land issues, he said.
Under Section 111 of the same Act, the tribunal may act in the absence of a party.
This means that the tribunal may hear and determine a claim.
“So I believe the public should make use of this. To some people, the amount to be claimed is insignificant when compared to the principle that must be upheld,” he said.
Pretam pointed out that the tribunal is based on a simple, fast and cheap motto.
“The reason why the tribunal is simple is because consumers only have to fill up the forms. It is fast because it must dispose of cases within 45 days, and it is cheap because consumers only had to pay RM5 to claim trial and no lawyers are allowed,” he said.
He said the tribunal court serves as an alternative of redress for consumers.
Those who want to know more about the tribunal could log on to http://tribunal.kpdnkk.gov.my.