The Consumer Protection Act, which will be amended next month, will pave the way for the setting up of a committee to monitor advertisements.

Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the committee would help prevent consumers from being by duped by misleading advertisements.

The setting up of the committee emanated from a discussion with the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) over misleading advertisements, he said, adding that the committee would be tasked with studying public complaints.

The amendment will also incorporate a new clause on unfair contract terms to enable consumers to challenge lopsided agreements although they have been concluded, he told reporters after launching a consumerism campaign in conjunction with the Malaysian Consumers' Week 2010 in Kuala Lumpur today.

Ismail Sabri said the amendment bill had been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers for scrutiny before tabling to the cabinet.

He said five more bills, which would be amended, were the Sale and Purchase  Act, Price Control Act, Direct Selling Act, Copyrights Act and Cooperative College of Malaysia Act.

The ministry will also table the Competition Act bill, he added.

Ismail Sabri said a study conducted by the ministry last year showed that consumer awareness was still low with only 58 per cent of Malaysians understood their rights.

He said consumer awareness was linked to educational level with 67 per cent of those with lower qualifications especially from rural areas not using their rights.

"Not many people made consumer claims, instead they adopted couldn't care less attitude while many felt that the government is not protecting their rights," he added.

On new petrol subsidy mechanism, he said it would be announced next month.

"Please be patient and wait for the announcement. Do not be influenced by any speculation. It (announcement) will make everybody happy," he added.

- Bernama