Kuala Lumpur, December 18, 2012 - Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) held a press conference announcing the FOMCA anniversary of the 40th to be held on June 10, 2013 at Balai Besar, Alor Star, Kedah, where the establishment of a similar suggestion in 10 June 1973.
In conjunction with the anniversary, FOMCA has developed a number of activities, including anniversary celebration, exhibition about FOMCA in a shopping mall, two publications on the history and achievements of the conference FOMCA and consumerism.
In reaching the age of almost 40 years, FOMCA try to assess how far back its achievements in fighting for the interests of consumers, and in the same time to plan the way forward in the future. FOMCA will also assess the level of existing consumer protection in the country through the conference to be held next year. For this purpose, FOMCA will make eight consumer rights and the Consumer Protection Guidelines of the United Nations as a framework and benchmarks in assessing the status of consumer protection in Malaysia.
In the area of advocacy, the FOMCA will continue to focus on consumer issues, such as rising food prices, food security and safety, public transportation, health care, the need for standards, financial services, endemic crime, issues related telecommunications and multimedia services and housing.
Similarly, education, FOMCA will continue to focus on the rights of consumers, financial education for all walks of life, energy and water conservation and prudent use. FOMCA will run more than 450 community programs in 2013.Additionally, FOMCA will continue to publish various publications on consumer education, and greater use of websites and social media to disseminate information on consumption.
During the ceremony, FOMCA also launched smartphone mobile applications, which is the first time by a consumer organization in Malaysia. The creation of applications to enable more FOMCA beyond consumer audience, especially the younger generation in consumer issues in a more simple and effective.
There are five key elements in this free application, namely: Complaints, News, Campaigns, Publications and Background FOMCA. Now consumers can file a complaint at their fingertips through the application. They can take pictures and send immediately to FOMCA.
Any news on consumer issues or stand FOMCA be updated through this application from time to time. For example, if there are any recalled products to any country around the world, this information will be updated and communicated to the user through the application.
This application can be used for all smart phones using the Android operating system. Applications for the operating system iOS (iPhone) should be completed in January 2013.
The press conference was attended by Datuk Marimuthu Nadason, FOMCA president, Dato 'Paul Selva Raj, CEO FOMCA and Mrs. Siti Rahayu Zakaria, Vice President FOMCA. Also present were members of the Supreme Council FOMCA.
