Development of Consumer Protection: Challenges and the Way Forward for Consumer Protection Institution in Malaysia

Economically, consumers are referred to as those who purchased, received and used all kinds of goods and services. Consumers, include us all as we are involved in the transactions of sale and purchase everyday. Undeniably, we are bound by an economic system whereby our needs are controlled by an external power such as trading. Such system is able to control the world’s economy if it becomes stronger. Hence, consumers should be protected from oppression by unethical dealers or suppliers. Consumer protection is important to improve the consumer’s socio-economic background and further enhance the quality of people’s lives. This article aims to identify and analyse the development of consumer protection in Malaysia and the role of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) as the main institution for consumer protection in Malaysia. This article is a socio-legal research which combines both legal and social research methodologies. The historical, evaluation, analytical and critical approaches have been employed in this research. Generally, the role of MDTCC can be summarised into four, namely empowering consumers, law enforcement, improving delivering system and supervision of Act under MDTCC. This article also addresses the challenges and way forward for consumer protection in Malaysia. The challenges and way forward for consumer protection include aspect of MDTCC organisation, legal aspect and social aspect. In conclusion, consumers must play their respective roles, as effort to uphold consumers’ rights and interests in Malaysia to a higher level requires the involvement of all parties.