Champion (left) and Runner-up (right), pictured with Walter and KPN representatives
KOTA KINABALU: The government will always monitor and evaluate issues and problems related to consumers, said the Minister of Community Development and People’s Well-being (KPMKR), Datuk James Ratib.
According to him, relevant and necessary measures will be introduced to compensate for any negative effects due to injustice or distortion to ensure that the rights and welfare of consumers are protected and can be dealt with.
“I hope that everyone can play a role in supporting all government initiatives to improve, strengthen and enforce consumer rights and protection.
“The ministry through all branches and networks will always disseminate information and provide assistance to ensure consumers are skilled in facing issues and challenges.
“This continuous effort will create a country with consumers who are aware of their rights, able to make the right decisions especially when it comes to ringgit money transactions and spend more wisely,” he said.
James, who is also the N48 Sugut Assemblyman, said this while officiating the Sabah and W.P Labuan A Capella Consumerism Competition for Institute of Higher Education (IPT) here on Friday.
The text of his speech was read by KPMKR Deputy Permanent Secretary, Walter Kenson who represented him as an officiant at the event.
He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Sabah State Ministry of Education and Culture for inviting him as the officiant of the competition, and then presented prizes to the winners.
“Congratulations to all the participants of the competition who have just finished the implementation of this program.
“It is understood that the first place winner of the competition will represent the Borneo Zone at the national level which will be held at the peak of the National Consumer Day celebration at the Piazza Pavillion Bukit Jalil, W.P Kuala Lumpur which will be officiated by His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong XVI,” he said.
James added, the competition this time aims to deliver and apply messages related to knowledge and consumerism issues to IPT students.
“It coincides with the national consumer day theme this year, which is “empowered consumers, peaceful nation”.
“Empowered consumers mean consumers who have knowledge in consumerism, know their rights as consumers, carry out the responsibility of making complaints against any wrongdoing, dare to act and wisely manage expenses in facing the challenge of the cost of living in an increasingly challenging environment of economic globalization.
“Negara rahmah sejahtera means a country that results from the mobilization of the efforts of consumers and the government, creating a fair and harmonious market between traders and consumers and a country that prioritizes welfare as part of the mission of creating a civilized Malaysia,” he said.
James said, through this competition, knowledge and issues of consumerism can be translated through lyrics, singing and presentation style that attract the listeners and provide a difference to the medium of consumerism advocacy that has never been used before.
The theme of the competition takes the theme of national consumer day in 2022 which is ‘consumer digitalisation’ which is still relevant and close to society’s issues today.
He added that the digitization of consumer reflects the changing norms of users in using services or making purchases such as online transactions and the use of e-commerce platforms and so on.
“Today’s digital technology is developing and growing according to the current world situation, especially in financial activities such as payments, loans, insurance and asset management,” he explained.
In this competition, Kosmo Point College was crowned as the winner, taking home a cash prize of RM3,000 while Geomatika College Keningau, ranked runner-up, also took home a cash prize of RM2,000
Also present, Head of Consumer Empowerment, Administration and Finance Section, Sabah State KPDN Office, Noraziela Binti Ramlin, Head of Domestic Trade Section, Sabah State KPDN Office, Muhamad Asyraf Bin Ahmad Termimi, Branch Head of Keningau District KPDN Office and Chairman of the District Consumer Movement Keningau, Tambunan, Tenom and Nabawan, Awang Azri Bin Biahi, Branch Chief of the Beaufort District KPDN Office and Chairman of the Beaufort District Consumer Movement, Julie Binti Julhani, Branch Chief of the Tuaran District KPDN Office and Chairman of the Tuaran District Consumer Movement, Syaripuddin Bin Moleng and others.
