SM Mohamed Idris

As of late there has been a lot of conflicting news in circulation about loom bands and phthalates - a harmful chemical commonly found in plastic products. Looms bands have become a nationwide craze; popular among children and adults alike. Therefore it is a concern for us, the Consumer’s Association of Penang (CAP), that there are such contradictory reports on whether or not loom bands are safe.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) regrets that the Penang state government has consented to a 35 percent rebate on the proposed water rate hike for the construction and renovation sector. This means that instead of the proposed RM3 per 1,000 litres, they will only have to pay RM1.95 per 1,000 litres.

CAP and SAM are concerned that Penang is losing its charm due to over-development.

Banks are exploiting mortgagors by taking out fire insurance on the mortgaged properties to cover the full amount of the loan which in almost all cases will be about 90 percent of the market value of the properties.

Human-elephant conflict throughout elephant ranges in Malaysia has been steadily increasing since the 90s because of continued loss of the elephant habitat, which forces the pachyderms to encroach into plantations in search of food, water and mates.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is deeply concerned by the shocking process by which the United States of America (USA) squeezes more concessions from other countries it negotiates free trade agreements (FTAs) with, even after the treaty’s text is signed.

As large-scale livestock farming spreads throughout the developing world, so does concern about conditions for the animals raised in these facilities. Meat consumption has grown sharply along with rising prosperity. More meat is now produced in the developing world than in the high-income countries.

Year after year we have Ops Sikap, now changed to Ops Selamat, to stop the carnage from our road crashes during our festive seasons. Malaysia was ranked 20th globally for the most road deaths in 2011, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Eighteen people are killed daily in road crashes and according to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), the figure is expected to rise to 29 by 2020.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) once again reiterates its stand against the breeding of sturgeon fish for its caviar under the Felda project.  When the plan was first mooted in July last year by Felda, SAM had strongly objected against a project of this nature, citing various environmental concerns.

On June 10, 2014, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) joined more than 80 environmental and human rights organisations and occupational health professionals to send a letter to Lisa Jackson, vice-president of environmental affairs at Apple, urging the company to remove hazardous chemicals from its supplier factories in an effort to protect workers from grave illnesses.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is further irked by the silence maintained by the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry, the Sabah Wildlife Department, the Sabah police and the deputy public prosecutor (DPP) regarding the deaths of the 14 pygmy elephants.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is truly sceptical about the panda rental programme, while Malaysian officials await excitedly the arrival of China’s adorable export.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Ministry and related agencies to prohibit any person who is given the responsibility of cleaning irrigation canals and rivers from using herbicides or weedkillers for this purpose.

COMMENT It is reported that the vaccines have deadly side-effects.