34TH IIUM CONVO BOOK

29 34th IIUM Convocation Ceremony Majlis Konvokesyen IIUM ke-34 CAP, in serving the cause of the consumers in Malaysia, has managed to create awareness on consumer protection and has been carrying out this task professionally at par with the international consumer protection standards. CAP, in addressing the globalised and digitalised changes at the global level, is committed to ensuring that the voice of consumers is as powerful as the governments and corporations they interact with. Achieving this will ensure that everyone can realise the benefits of our increasingly globalised and digital world. At a time when companies often have huge global reach, CAP educates the consumers in the need to think big and act together to ensure the consumer protection is not outpaced. CAP’s dynamic team of 35 staff members is led by Haji S.M Mohammad Idris, a 92-year-old outspoken veteran who is devoted to upholding the need to promote educational reforms to build national unity and reduction of poverty, disparity and polarisation. CAP with its affiliates, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Third World Network are dedicated to work together to create a vibrant, dynamic, fair and just society by urging the creation of relevant policies and institutions rooted in the diverse traditions, values, cultures and beliefs of Malaysian society. Building on this foundation, CAP has made immense contributions through the fight for consumer rights, social justice and environmental integrity which it has helped to pioneer in recent Malaysian history. CAP produces bi-monthly editions of Utusan Konsumer in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Utusan Konsumer has been an important tool for disseminating valuable information based on research and evidences to all members of society throughout Malaysia. Some of the notable achievements of CAP are: • Since its establishment, helped raise consumer awareness and the importance of their rights to quality products and make informed choices in purchasing consumer products. • 1975 onwards assisted the fishing communities whose livelihood were affected by the encroachment and pollution near Kuala Juru. • In 1982, CAP’s constant exposure of the environmental degradation issues led to the establishment of the Ministry of Environment to focus on managing pollution and promoting environmental quality in Malaysia. • Assisted in improving social benefits, welfare and working conditions of workers in the country. • Since the 1980s, conducted studies to expose 20 types of hazardous drugs that have been marketed in Malaysia that was ultimately banned by the Ministry of Health. • In the 1990s, launched the Save Penang Hill campaign together with other civil society groups and saved the Penang Hill from indiscriminate development and thus helped conserve the environment. • In 1994, established the Penang Inshore Fishermen’s Network (PIFWA) to defend the welfare and interests of the inshore fishing community. • CAP continuously work with schools in various parts of Malaysia to establish Consumer Clubs to ensure an early start in consumer and environmental awareness education for the Malaysians. • Successfully lobbied the Government to introduce new laws to protect consumers, house-buyers, tenants and the environment; and to reform and enforce outdated law culminated in the amendment to the Specific Relief Act in 1992 to protect the tenant from being evicted by the landlord without a court order. • Continuously promoting awareness by organising campaigns on numerous issues affecting public health, including safety of food, products, the price of medicine and anti-smoking. • Provided continuous support to residents threatened by indiscriminate and hillslope developments threatening their property and life. • Organised Conference on Decolonising University in the attempt to reshape a more relevant institution of learning for the future to promote interaction with the society which is now termed as “Quadruple Helix” in the academia.