Latest news with #Consumers'AssociationofPenang
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
CAP calls for vacancy tax, tighter controls to curb property speculation
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has called for the introduction of a vacancy tax on residential properties that are left unoccupied for extended periods. It also called on the government to review and strengthen the Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT). CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said these measures were urgently needed to address the deepening problems of property speculation and declining housing affordability in Malaysia. "A vacancy tax typically applies to properties that remain vacant — unsold or unrented — for more than six months in a year. "In countries such as Canada and Australia, particularly in cities like Melbourne, this tax is set at between one and three per cent of the property or land value. "Its primary aim is to deter property speculation, particularly in the medium-cost segment, where rising prices in the subsale market have increasingly placed home ownership beyond the reach of middle-income earners," he said in a statement today. According to the Khazanah Research Institute, housing prices in Malaysia rose by an average of 5.8 per cent per year between 2010 and 2022, well above the healthy growth range of three to four per cent. As a result, many in the M40 income group found it difficult to purchase their own homes. In urban areas, the typical 'modern' three-bedroom apartment ranges from 800 to 1,000 square feet. Mohideen said this limited space was not conducive to multi-generational or extended family living, nor does it offer adequate privacy or comfort for those forced to share with other families. "Speculators often compete directly with genuine homebuyers, inflating demand and thereby encouraging developers to acquire more land to keep up with what is essentially artificial pressure. "In land-scarce areas like Penang, this has resulted in a rise in land prices and a growing reliance on costly land reclamation from the sea. "It is also worth noting that many apartment blocks are not fully occupied, despite having been sold. In these developments, owners of vacant units — who are not living in them and cannot easily sell or rent them out —often neglect their obligations to pay maintenance fees. "This undermines the upkeep of the building and penalises residents who do live there. At present, many residential properties, particularly in urban centres, remain empty while thousands of Malaysians continue to struggle to find homes they can afford," he added. The property market, Mohideen noted, had become increasingly dominated by those who treat housing as a speculative investment rather than a basic human need. He said this trend had led to inflated prices and a false sense of scarcity, especially in cities where housing demand is greatest. "A vacancy tax would act as a strong disincentive to leave properties idle and would encourage owners to either rent out or sell them, returning more units to the active housing market. "In addition, CAP also calls on the government to review and strengthen the RPGT, as the current system fails to adequately discourage short-term speculation. "We propose a more progressive model that imposes significantly higher tax rates on profits from properties sold within a short holding period," he added. Mohideen also called for a revision of stamp duty rates and tighter controls on housing loans. He said that unless the government introduced comprehensive policy reforms, Malaysia's housing sector would continue to favour investors at the expense of ordinary citizens.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Two million M'sians at risk: CAP wants action against drug-laced vapes
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has urged members of parliament to take decisive action against the rising crisis of drug-laced vape liquids. The association warned that nearly two million Malaysian vapers — many of them unwitting youth — are at serious risk. CAP education officer N.V. Subbarow, in lauding today's New Straits Times leader column, told MPs and health officials to "read it multiple times" to grasp the gravity of a worsening drug-vape crisis. "Lawmakers can no longer feign ignorance, as mounting evidence from enforcement agencies paints a stark picture," he told the NST. According to the federal police Narcotic Criminal Investigation Department, 65 per cent of vape liquids seized in 2023 contained MDMA or synthetic cannabinoid ADB‑Butinaca. Subbarow warned that thousands of children, and millions of adults, might be inhaling potent psychoactive substances unknowingly. He said teachers had reported disturbing cases of Form Three students behaving like "zombies" after using drug-stimulant vapes. He said some children preferred "mushroom"-flavoured vapes, specifically engineered to deliver more than simple nicotine hits. "At least one teenage fatality and over 111 poisoning cases had been admitted to intensive care units nationwide. "Many more may be suffering without proper medical diagnosis, he added, taking to task the Health Ministry and several state governments of delaying urgent action in favour of prolonged studies," he added. Subbarow questioned why Malaysian authorities continued to prioritise approximately 306 vape traders over the welfare of millions of young vapers. "The Health Ministry is complicit in the poisoning and addiction of children. "As such, we are calling on the government to declare a total ban on vapes and e-cigarettes, while strengthening enforcement and seizure laws to deter illicit vape vendors. "We also call for a nationwide awareness and education programmes in schools. Cease delay tactics and act immediately to protect youths. "Banning vape products will not kill any traders but failure to act could cost more young lives," he said. Subbarow also warned MPs not to pawn our children's lives. "Act now before another tragedy strikes," he said.
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia too hasty in signing EFTA trade agreement
THE Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) expresses deep disappointment over the Malaysian government's decision to rush into signing a trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland that together form the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on June 23 in Norway. The government failed to address critical concerns raised in CAP's memorandum submitted earlier this month, based on the leaked text of the intellectual property (IP) annex to the Malaysia-EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (Meepa). The full text of Meepa has now been published. Contents of the IP Annex are substantially the same as the leaked text.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Private doctors deny profiteering claims, urge health focus
KUALA LUMPUR: A group representing private doctors has rejected recent allegations made by the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) and several civil society groups, calling the claims misleading and unfair. "We, DRSforALL, from the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia, categorically reject the misleading accusations made in the May 31, 2025 joint statement by the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) and several allied civil society groups," its founding chairman Dr Steven K.W. Chow said in a statement. DRSforALL, an initiative under the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM), said private general practitioners (GPs) have long played a crucial role in community healthcare, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and national emergencies. The group defended the introduction of modest administrative charges by some clinics, citing rising operational costs and unchanged consultation fees for over three decades. "Accusations that GPs are profiteering and resisting transparency are unjustified, misleading, and deeply damaging to public confidence in this essential trust," Dr Chow said. He also said that GP consultation fees have remained unchanged for over 30 years. "Expecting clinics to absorb these costs indefinitely is unrealistic," Dr Chow said, adding that "allegations of over-prescription and anti-competitive practices are mischievous and entirely unsubstantiated." It also expressed concern over the growing number of vape shops compared to medical clinics, calling it a more urgent public health issue that deserves attention. "We urge CAP and its allies to set their priorities straight. For example, a more urgent concern is the alarming lack of effective regulation over nicotine and vape sales," Dr Chow added. In their May joint statement, the civil society groups expressed strong disapproval of the GPs' response to the newly introduced drug price display order, saying their reluctance to support price transparency reflects poorly on the profession in the public's eyes.
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
CAP welcomes new law on transparent medicine pricing
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has hailed the enforcement of the Medicine Price Transparency Mechanism (MKHU), which came into effect yesterday, as a significant move towards greater transparency, accountability, and the empowerment of consumers in the healthcare sector. Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader said consumers have the right to access information, make informed choices, voice their concerns, and feel secure when using any product. 'The enforcement of this law indirectly upholds the universal rights of consumers to information and choice. 'It also allows consumers to compare medicine prices, plan their healthcare spending, and avoid being overcharged. This is crucial given the rising cost of living,' he told Bernama today. He added that Malaysian consumer groups share this view, describing the new law as a crucial step towards addressing opaque pricing practices and inconsistencies between healthcare facilities that have long posed challenges for consumers. In a joint statement with the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, the Malaysian Rural and Eco Consumer Association, Teras Pengupayaan Melayu, and the Kuala Lumpur Consumer Safety Association, Mohideen stressed that the law is a price display mechanism and should not be mistaken for price control. 'By mandating price display, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has taken a step to uphold the universal right of consumers to access information and make informed choices, allowing Malaysians to compare medicine prices, plan their healthcare budgets, and avoid excessive charges. 'Moreover, with Malaysia's medical inflation rate reaching 15 per cent, far exceeding regional and global averages, transparent price labelling is a crucial first step in curbing unjustified price increases and protecting household budgets,' he said. Regarding claims that displaying medicine prices could negatively impact doctors' income or the sustainability of private clinics, the consumer groups said such concerns were misplaced, as the policy focuses solely on medicine prices and not on healthcare professionals' fees or earnings. 'Therefore, we urge all healthcare providers to comply with the law to uphold consumer rights and public interest, while also supporting this important initiative that empowers consumers to report any non-compliance to the authorities,' he added.
