Malaysian government considering Lemon Law to fight against defective vehicles

According to Free Malaysia Today, Malaysia's government is exploring the implementation of a "lemon law" to enhance consumer protection for defective vehicles. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali indicated that the law would require careful consideration of international practices before local adaptation.

The "lemon law" would provide legal remedies to consumers who buy vehicles, new or old, that fail to meet quality and performance standards within a certain timeframe. While Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 does address defects in vehicles, it doesn't specifically function as a "lemon law" or offer remedies like car buybacks for unrepairable defects.

The consideration of a lemon law in Malaysia, as reported by Free Malaysia Today, also arises from recent incidents where new cars, soon after being driven off the showroom floor, exhibited defects. Frustrated owners have increasingly turned to social media to voice their issues, prompting manufacturers to respond more promptly to these concerns.

This trend has seen more new car owners using social media as a platform to seek attention and faster resolution from manufacturers. One of the major issues with this situation is that these owners continue to pay their hire purchase installments despite not being able to use their new vehicles for extended periods. Some owners depend on their vehicle to do their job, and in times where cost of living is high, owners have to fork out extra funds to go around their transportation problems.

The concept of the "lemon law" originated in the United States, designed to protect consumers from defective new vehicles and other consumer goods. Initially developed to address the growing number of complaints about faulty new cars, the law provided a legal remedy for consumers whose vehicles repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.

The law obliges manufacturers to fix, replace, or refund vehicles that have been identified as "lemons" - cars with substantial defects. Over time, various countries have adopted similar laws, tailoring them to their specific legal and consumer environments. Malaysia currently does not have a specific "lemon law" largely due to the existing legal and regulatory framework, which differs from countries where such laws are in place.

The Consumer Protection Act 1999 in Malaysia addresses some aspects of consumer rights and protection, including issues related to defective goods. However, it does not provide the same level of specific protections or remedies found in typical lemon laws, such as mandatory replacements or refunds for defective vehicles. The development of a dedicated lemon law would require changes in legislation, taking into account the unique aspects of the Malaysian market and legal system.

Also Read: Daihatsu safety scandal report to affect Toyota, Perodua models in Malaysia