KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong announced that a feasibility study on implementing a lemon law in Malaysia will be conducted this year. The legislation aims to protect buyers of cars and other goods that do not meet quality and performance standards.
The Ayer Hitam MP stated that the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will be responsible for carrying out the study. Once completed, a policy decision will be made at the ministry level before establishing the legal framework for the lemon law.
Dr Wee highlighted that the new law would enable consumers to claim for losses in situations where their purchased vehicles break down or do not meet specified quality standards or performance criteria set by the supplier. This information was shared in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday (March 11).
The MCA president received this response from Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali after inquiring if the government was considering enacting a lemon law specifically for the automotive industry to protect consumers during the warranty period post-vehicle purchase.
Expressing hope that such a law would safeguard consumers without negatively impacting the automotive sector in Malaysia, Dr Wee emphasized the importance of balancing consumer protection and industry interests.
Under the provisions of a lemon law, consumers affected by defective products can request a price reduction or a refund. Countries like the United States, Singapore, South Korea, China, and the Philippines already have lemon laws in place to safeguard consumer rights.
