KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) today stressed the importance of holding Ramadan bazaar traders accountable due to increasing complaints from the public.

Fomca's response came following the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry advising people not to share incidents of non-compliance by traders on social media as it claimed it would hinder the investigation process.

In response to the ministry's statement, a Fomca representative, Nur Asyikin Aminuddin, said authorities should act immediately on any report of non-compliance by traders.

"Irresponsible traders should be blacklisted from trading in Ramadan bazaars for at least one to two years as a lesson to them.

"This will also make other traders more honest and cautious, especially regarding food quality and hygiene," she said when contacted by the NST today.

Asyikin said the reason people made complaints through social media was to seek prompt action by the authorities.

She added that it reflected the situation that the authorities were not assessing the complaints speedily and effectively.

"This is more so because there is often no feedback regarding the action taken against the errant traders.

"At least when consumers complain to the ministry, they are informed about the actions taken," she added.

Fomca's role, she said, was to advocate for consumers to submit their complaints through proper channels so that the authorities could take appropriate action against irresponsible traders.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1030357/hold-ramadan-bazaar-traders-accountable-blacklisting-errant-few-says