MALAYSIA'S DIRECT SALES ACT 1993 AMENDMENT TO PROTECT CONSUMERS

BERA (Malaysia), April 4 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and
Consumerism Ministry is amending the Direct Sales Act 1993 to protect consumers
from becoming victims of people who attempt to maximise profit from direct
sales, Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Sunday.

The amended act would help prevent consumers from being exploited by people who
cheat purchasers, he said.

A draft of the act had been approved by the Attorney-General's Chambers and
would be submitted to the Cabinet meeting next week before being tabled in the
current Parliament session, he added.

"The amended act provides for a heavier penalty for cheating when conducting
direct sales, which includes scratch-and-win activities.

"Individuals can be fined up to RM1 million (about US$294,000) while companies
may face a fine of up to RM5 million (US$1.47 million), compared to the
RM250,000 (US$73,529) for individuals and RM500,000 (US$147,058) for companies
currently," he said.

Ismail Sabri said that though the government had issued direct sales licences,
it was not to be misused to carry out illegal scratch-and-win activities.
-- BERNAMA