NGO bantah cadangan TNB naik kadar tarif

BERITA HARIAN 30 Oktober 2004
Berita Nasional

KUALA LUMPUR: Beberapa persatuan pengguna dan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) membantah cadangan Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) untuk menaikkan kadar tarif elektrik dalam keadaan pengguna dibebani kenaikan harga barangan semasa.

Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Dr Maamor Osman, berkata TNB sepatutnya tidak terlalu terikut-ikut dengan aliran semasa kerana tindakan menaikkan tarif elektrik akan memberi kesan besar terhadap pengguna dan masyarakat.

“TNB sebenarnya boleh mengkaji menggunakan sumber baru dan alternatif bagi mengurangkan kebergantungan terhadap petroleum,” katanya ketika dihubungi Berita Harian, semalam.

Semalam, TNB dilaporkan mengesahkan untuk menaikkan kadar tarif elektrik dan akan menghantar kertas cadangan mengenainya untuk pertimbangan kerajaan.

Ketua Eksekutifnya, Datuk Che Khalib Mohd Noh, bagaimanapun tidak menyatakan bila pihaknya akan menghantar cadangan berkenaan sambil menyatakan banyak keadaan perlu diteliti terlebih dulu.

Dr Maamor, berkata TNB perlu meneliti banyak perkara sebelum melaksanakan tarif baru kerana beban yang diterima pengguna ketika ini masih meruncing.

“Pengguna sudah pun dibebani dengan kenaikan harga barangan terutama petroleum hingga mengakibatkan peniaga menaikkan harga barangan keperluan secara mendadak.

“Justeru sebagai organisasi yang mementingkan tanggungjawab sosial, TNB perlu memikirkan pelbagai kesan negatif berikutan kenaikan harga pelbagai barang keperluan ketika ini,” katanya.

Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca), Mohd Shaani Abdullah pula mahu TNB memberi penjelasan sewajarnya sebelum membuat kenaikan.

“Walaupun negara terpaksa berhadapan dengan kenaikan harga petroleum dunia, tidak bermakna TNB juga perlu mengambil tindakan tergesa-gesa menaikkan kadar tarif,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung Majlis Belia Malaysia (MBM), Norizan Sharif mahu TNB menangguhkan kenaikan tarif sehingga isu kenaikan harga barangan yang membelenggu pengguna ketika ini reda.

“Sebagai syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC), TNB tidak seharusnya terlalu ghairah mengambil tindakan berdasarkan keadaan semasa ekonomi yang berlaku tetapi dalam masa sama perlu memikirkan kepentingan masyarakat dan pengguna,” katanya.

FTC: Quick & Easy Slimming ARE bogus!

For Release: October 19, 2004

"Slim Down Solution": Problem Solved

A federal district court has permanently barred a group of marketers of bogus weight-loss products from making false claims about the effectiveness of their products. In January 2003, the Federal Trade Commission charged Slim Down Solution, LLC, Maderia Management, Inc., and several related companies and individuals with misrepresenting that their product, "Slim Down Solution" and its main ingredient, D-glucosamine, could block dietary fat absorption and cause consumers to lose weight without changing their diet, in violation of federal law. In May 2004, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted summary judgment against the two sets of defendants and entered an Order and Judgment for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief against each of them. On October 6, 2004, the court entered a stipulated modification settling one remaining complaint count and the monetary judgment against Slim Down Solution, LLC, and its related entities and owners.

The Commission's complaint named Slim Down Solution, LLC, Slim Down Solution, Inc., S.S.T. Management, Inc., The KARA Group, LLC, and their principals, Ronald and Kathleen Alarcon (collectively, the SDS defendants); and Maderia Management, Inc., Polyglucosamine, Ltd., and their principal, Steven Pierce (collectively, the Maderia defendants).

The SDS defendants, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, advertised and sold Slim Down Solution through nationally disseminated infomercials that aired on cable television channels such as Bravo, Comedy Central, and PAX Cable, and on the Internet at www.slimdownsolution.com. In addition, the SDS defendants sold their product through a continuity program, automatically shipping consumers Slim Down Solution and charging consumers' credit cards or debiting their bank accounts monthly. The Maderia defendants, based in Conroe, Texas, have manufactured and sold D-glucosamine products directly to consumers and other resellers through their Internet sites, including www.polyglucosamine.com. Resellers, in turn, promoted the products to consumers under private labels such as "Fight the Fat," "Everslim," "Mini Max," and "Slim Down Solution."

The court found that the defendants deceptively advertised Slim Down Solution and D-glucosamine (both chitosan derivatives) as "fat trapper" weight-loss products that could prevent consumers from absorbing up to 20 grams of dietary fat per dose. The court also found that the SDS defendants falsely claimed that Slim Down Solution causes weight loss even if consumers eat substantial amounts of foods high in fat, such as cheeseburgers, french fries, and cheesecake.

The Permanent Injunction Orders entered by the court bar the defendants from making these and other false claims, such as that Slim Down Solution or D-glucosamine cause substantial weight loss without calorie reduction or exercise. The orders also prohibit the defendants from claiming, without competent and reliable scientific proof, that Slim Down Solution or D-glucosamine cause any weight loss at all. The defendants further are barred, in connection with the sale of any product, from making false or unsubstantiated efficacy or safety claims, or misrepresenting the results of any scientific test or study.

The court orders hold the defendants jointly and severally liable for more than $30 million in consumer redress. To satisfy the $30 million judgment partially, the court ordered the defendants and third parties holding the defendants' assets to turn over to the FTC all assets traceable to Slim Down Solution or D-glucosamine sales. Further, the orders bar the defendants from selling their customer lists. The orders also impose on the defendants compliance reporting and record-keeping requirements.

On December 16, 2003, individual defendants Ronald Alarcon and Kathleen Alarcon filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. On May 14, 2004, the court in the FTC action found that the Commission's action against the Alarcons was not stayed because of the bankruptcy proceeding and granted the Commission's motion for summary judgment against them.

As part of the stipulated modification to the final order entered by the Court on October 6, 2004, the SDS defendants will dismiss their bankruptcy case and pay $725,000 in consumer redress. The Alarcons have put up their Florida home as collateral for payment of this judgment. If the SDS defendants have lied about their financial situation, or if they do not pay the required amount by December 28, 2004, they will be liable for the entire original judgment of $30,135,784. The modified order has an added provision prohibiting the SDS defendants from enrolling consumers in a continuity program or billing consumers without their express consent. The Maderia defendants remain liable for the original judgment.

The Commission vote to approve the modified order was 5-0. The modified order was entered by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on October 6, 2004.

The FTC has the following tips for consumers who are interested in weight-loss products or programs:

• Products and programs that promise quick and easy weight loss are bogus. To lose weight, you have to lower your intake of calories and increase your physical activity.

• The faster you lose weight, the more likely you are to gain it back. Experts recommend a goal of about a pound a week.

• There are no miracle weight-loss products. Be skeptical of products and programs that claim they can keep weight off permanently. Be skeptical about exaggerated claims.

For more information on weight loss and diets, visit the FTC's Web site at: www.ftc.gov/dietfit.

Johor asked to come clean on Strait study

New Straits Times » Local
Sim Bak Heng

JOHOR BARU, Oct 27:

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Two non-governmental organisations are putting the pressure on the Johor Fisheries Department to make public a study on the high lead and mercury content in the Johor Strait. The Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) claimed that the public deserve the right to know the severity of the pollution and the health impact by consuming any seafood caught in the waters.

They urged the department to be transparent as expected under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Fomca director of communication Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said it is better to keep the public informed about the findings than to wait until someone is down with health problems.

"Is the department or the fishermen to be held liable for any untoward consequences as a result of consuming contaminated seafood caught in the polluted waters? "It is the job of the State Government to ensure fish and mussels caught in the areas are destroyed and not sold to the public.

"It is their responsibility to keep the content of heavy metals in the straits low through preventive measures. This is also the long-term measure to help the fishermen." Mohd Yusof was commenting on a New Straits Times report today that the high lead and mercury level in certain stretches of the strait, especially at the popular Lido Beach near the estuary of Sungai Skudai.

Medical experts here said excessive levels of lead and mercury can be harmful and may even lead to death.

It was also reported that the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority is pressing for a report of the study before embarking on a multi-million ringgit mussel-breeding project in the Johor Strait.

Mohd Yusof suggested that the state government look for an alternative fishing ground for the affected fishermen so that their livelihood is not affected.

Meanwhile, MNS Johor branch advisor Vincent Chow urged the Johor Fisheries not to conceal the truth.

"While looking after the welfare of fishermen, the department should also care about the health of consumers." Chow believed the level of heavy metals in the straits is higher during dry season. He also suggested that more warning signboards be erected along stretches of the strait.

Sungai Skudai, which is one of the three most polluted rivers in Johor, flows into the Johor Strait (also referred to as the Selat Tebrau).

The others are Sungai Segget and Sungai Tebrau. Two other polluted rivers — Sungai Johor and Sungai Pasir Gudang — also flow into the Johor Strait.

These rivers have, over the years, become convenient dumping grounds for squatters, illegal factories and farms resulting in serious pollution.

Prices of local items remain stable

The Star Online > News

Sunday October 24, 2004

IPOH: The prices of consumer goods, especially those locally sourced, have remained stable in the past month despite the higher cost of fuel.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk S. Veerasingam said the ministry had not detected any price increase for goods except for vegetables and certain imported items.

However he said that this was not related to the 5sen increase in fuel prices.

“The higher price of vegetables is mainly due to the rainy season and is only temporary.

“The increase of certain imported items is because of higher shipping costs,” he told reporters after opening a consumer seminar organised by the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP).

Veerasingam said the ministry would announce on Oct 27 the ceiling price for 15 essential items for the coming festive season.

He also said the ministry would be better able to monitor prices with the addition of 528 enforcement officers soon.

”We will also get help from the Price Watch Group, CAP and Fomca to carry out price checks during this festive season,” he said.

�Pantau kedai besi buruk�

BERITA harian
Berita Nasional

KUALA LUMPUR: Agensi yang terbabit dalam pengeluaran lesen perniagaan barangan lusuh, diminta menjalankan penguatkuasaan dan pemantauan secara lebih agresif di kedai besi buruk bagi mengelak pembelian besi curi.

Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Dr Ma�amor Osman, berkata Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) sepatutnya mengetatkan syarat pengeluaran lesen, termasuk mewajibkan penggunaan papan tanda sah manakala pekerja memakai baju yang tertera nama syarikat.

Beliau berkata, pemohon juga perlu menyediakan wang deposit yang tinggi untuk membuka kedai menjual barangan lusuh sebagai jaminan tidak akan terbabit dalam pembelian barangan curi.

�Peraturan permohonan lesen perlu dikaji semula bagi memastikan pemberian lesen tidak dikeluarkan dengan sewenang-wenangnya kerana ketika ini kita dapat melihat banyak kedai besi buruk dibuka, teru tama berhampiran kawasan perumahan dan mengganggu ketenteraman penduduk.

�Masalah kecurian besi yang semakin berleluasa ini menunjukkan kegagalan pihak terbabit memantau aktiviti yang dijalankan kedai terbabit.

�Kami juga mengesyaki kegiatan membeli besi curi didalangi segelintir individu yang terbabit dalam kumpulan kongsi gelap,� katanya ketika dihubungi Berita Harian di sini, semalam.

Beliau diminta mengulas kejadian pencuri besi buruk yang semakin keterlaluan hingga mengancam keselamatan orang awam.

Kegiatan itu yang pada asalnya membabitkan kehilangan besi lurang (penutup longkang), papan tanda jalan, besi penghadang jambatan serta skru dan plat penyambung landasan kereta api, kini perbuatan itu beralih dengan mencuri skru menara kabel voltan tinggi.

Dalam kejadian kelmarin, sebuah menara kabel voltan tinggi Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) tumbang, kejadian kedua dalam bulan ini, sekali gus menyebabkan 25,000 pengguna kegelapan di beberapa kawasan di Johor.

Sementara itu, Pengarah Komunikasi Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca), Mohd Yusuf Abdul Rahman, berkata pihak berkuasa perlu menjalankan pemeriksaan mengejut bagi mengesan daripada mana sumber besi lusuh itu diperoleh.

Beliau berkata, perkara itu tidak boleh dipandang ringan kerana kegiatan mencuri besi kini sudah semakin serius dan boleh membahayakan nyawa orang awam, terutama kehilangan besi penghadang jalan, papan tanda jalan dan penutup longkang.

�Usaha membanteras kegiatan mencuri besi perlu dilaksanakan secara agresif dan ini turut memerlukan kerjasama semua pihak kerana harga besi kini meningkat sehingga RM2 atau RM3 sekilogram berbanding sekitar 40 sen hingga 60 sen sekilogram sebelum ini,� katanya.

528 pegawai pantau harga

BERITA HARIAN
Berita Nasional

IPOH: Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna melantik 528 penguat kuasa bagi memantau harga barang di seluruh negara sempena Deepavali dan Aidilfitri, tidak lama lagi.

Timbalan Menterinya, Datuk S Veerasingam, berkata pengambilan kakitangan baru itu adalah bagi membantu tugas pemantauan terhadap kawalan harga barangan pada musim perayaan oleh 1,117 pegawai penguat kuasa sedia ada lebih berkesan.

Beliau berkata, pasukan pemantau harga barang itu kini sedang menjalani proses temu duga dan akan mula menjalankan tugasan mereka di beberapa kawasan yang sudah ditetapkan.

"Kita akan mendapat bantuan seramai 528 penguat kuasa tidak lama lagi bagi proses pemantauan harga barang sempena musim perayaan (Deepavali dan Aidilfitri) ini.

"Selain itu, seramai 15,000 orang lagi daripada beberapa pertubuhan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) seperti Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) dan Gabungan Persekutuan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca)," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan Seminar Pendidikan Pengguna Untuk Guru Kokurikulum peringkat negeri di sini, semalam.

Seminar sehari anjuran anjuran bersama KPDNHEP, CAP dan Majlis Guru Besar Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil negeri itu bertujuan memberi pendedahan kepada guru mengenai hak pengguna yang kemudian akan disampaikan kepada semua pelajar mereka.

Sementara itu, Veerasingam turut mengingatkan pembeli supaya lebih berhati-hati ketika berbelanja dalam musim perayaan ini bagi mengelak pembaziran.

Beliau menasihatkan pembeli supaya membuat perbandingan harga barang di beberapa kedai berlainan terlebih dulu sebelum terus membelinya.

"Mungkin dengan berbuat demikian, pengguna akan dapat berjimat pada musim perayaan kali ini.

"Lebih penting, setiap pembeli perlu menyenaraikan barangan yang benar-benar diperlukan untuk digunakan dalam musim perayaan kali ini dan tidak membazir," katanya.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Veerasingam berkata, hasil pemantauan pihaknya di 15,000 premis perniagaan sepanjang bulan ini mendapati tidak ada sebarang kenaikan harga barangan yang ketara disebabkan kenaikan harga petrol.

"Jika ada kenaikan pun, ia disebabkan barangan itu adalah barangan import dan kenaikan itu pun disebabkan faktor lain seperti tambang kapal terbang dan pertukaran mata wang asing," katanya.

NGO bantah cadangan TNB naik kadar tarif

BERITA HARIAN
Berita Nasional

KUALA LUMPUR: Beberapa persatuan pengguna dan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) membantah cadangan Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) untuk menaikkan kadar tarif elektrik dalam keadaan pengguna dibebani kenaikan harga barangan semasa.

Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Dr Maamor Osman, berkata TNB sepatutnya tidak terlalu terikut-ikut dengan aliran semasa kerana tindakan menaikkan tarif elektrik akan memberi kesan besar terhadap pengguna dan masyarakat.

�TNB sebenarnya boleh mengkaji menggunakan sumber baru dan alternatif bagi mengurangkan kebergantungan terhadap petroleum,� katanya ketika dihubungi Berita Harian, semalam.

Semalam, TNB dilaporkan mengesahkan untuk menaikkan kadar tarif elektrik dan akan menghantar kertas cadangan mengenainya untuk pertimbangan kerajaan.

Ketua Eksekutifnya, Datuk Che Khalib Mohd Noh, bagaimanapun tidak menyatakan bila pihaknya akan menghantar cadangan berkenaan sambil menyatakan banyak keadaan perlu diteliti terlebih dulu.

Dr Maamor, berkata TNB perlu meneliti banyak perkara sebelum melaksanakan tarif baru kerana beban yang diterima pengguna ketika ini masih meruncing.

�Pengguna sudah pun dibebani dengan kenaikan harga barangan terutama petroleum hingga mengakibatkan peniaga menaikkan harga barangan keperluan secara mendadak.

�Justeru sebagai organisasi yang mementingkan tanggungjawab sosial, TNB perlu memikirkan pelbagai kesan negatif berikutan kenaikan harga pelbagai barang keperluan ketika ini,� katanya.

Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca), Mohd Shaani Abdullah pula mahu TNB memberi penjelasan sewajarnya sebelum membuat kenaikan.

�Walaupun negara terpaksa berhadapan dengan kenaikan harga petroleum dunia, tidak bermakna TNB juga perlu mengambil tindakan tergesa-gesa menaikkan kadar tarif,� katanya.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung Majlis Belia Malaysia (MBM), Norizan Sharif mahu TNB menangguhkan kenaikan tarif sehingga isu kenaikan harga barangan yang membelenggu pengguna ketika ini reda.

�Sebagai syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC), TNB tidak seharusnya terlalu ghairah mengambil tindakan berdasarkan keadaan semasa ekonomi yang berlaku tetapi dalam masa sama perlu memikirkan kepentingan masyarakat dan pengguna,� katanya.