KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is currently conducting a feasibility study on a "lemon law" to empower consumers' rights in this country to claim for compensation against defective vehicles.
Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said once the study is completed, a policy decision at the ministry level would be made before improvements to the legal framework is implemented.
"It is to empower consumers' rights to claim compensation if they receive a defective vehicle or vehicle that fails to meet the quality or performance standards as promised by the supplier and cannot be repaired," he said, in reply to Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong).
Lim had asked if the lemon law would be introduced to protect the rights of consumers in the purchase of new and used vehicles in the event of defects.
On Jan 18, Armizan said the government was mulling the possibility of adopting a lemon law to better protect consumers against defective vehicles.
He said they would first analyse international best practices before adapting them for Malaysia.
The United States, Singapore, South Korea, China and the Philippines are among countries that have adopted a lemon law.
While Malaysia already has a Consumer Protection Act, Armizan said it does not cover consumers with defective vehicles.