MP proposes extending ‘lemon law’ to used cars, electrical appliances

 Zahari Kechik says amendments to the Consumer Protection Act 1999 will allow consumers to seek compensation for repeatedly faulty products.

Jeli MP Zahari Kechik said a ‘lemon law’ will give consumers the right to seek repairs, replacements, or refunds if products they bought suffer recurring defects.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The government has been urged to expedite amendments to the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599) to introduce a “lemon law” with coverage extended to used vehicles and electrical appliances.

Zahari Kechik (PN-Jeli) said the law was important to give consumers the right to seek repairs, replacements, or refunds if products they bought suffered recurring defects.

He said a lemon law differs from a standard warranty as it would protect consumers regardless of whether the warranty period was still valid or had expired.

“This would make manufacturers and sellers accountable if their products failed to meet or fell short of promised standards,” he said when debating the 2027 budget in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“This measure is important to restore consumer and market confidence, while compelling manufacturers to improve quality control and ensuring consumers are not left bearing the cost of defective products.”

He said implementing the law would be a step forward in safeguarding consumer rights and upholding justice.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was previously reported to have said that a lemon law, which protects consumers from buying defective vehicles, would be incorporated into Act 599 to safeguard public rights.

Tabling the 2026 budget, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the Act would be amended to provide consumers with remedies to seek compensation for products that failed to meet the required standards. - FMT