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Watchdog stands firm on unjustified, opaque price hikes
Thursday • December 28, 2006
Letter from Yeo Guat Kwang
President Consumers Association of Singapore (Case)
I refer to the letters by Leong Sze Hian ("Price hikes and the role of the consumer watchdog", Dec 23) and Jeffrey Law Lee Beng ("A Case for the masses", Dec 27).
Case has asked consumers to report their concerns about Goods and Services Tax-related profiteering to the Committee Against Profiteering (CAP). CAP was set up by the Government to combat GST-related profiteering and it has the vested power to investigate such complaints. Case is an institutional member of CAP.
We understand that CAP investigated all complaints against retailers who use GST hikes as the reason to increase prices at the last GST adjustment. It is expected to do likewise in the coming increase.
Case was set up in 1971 when the prices of basic necessities were unstable and there was rampant profiteering. Our mission of protecting consumers' interests remains relevant today.
The writers asked if Case examines and speaks out on price increases, especially those relating to services provided by monopolies. They cited postage, public transport and electricity tariffs. Some of these services are already monitored and subjected to regular reviews by the authorities: Postage costs by the InfoComm Development Authority and public transport fares by the Public Transport Council. Electricity tariffs are determined by a formula that tracks the ups and downs of quarterly prices, depending on changing input costs, which primarily comprises oil.
Case watches all price increases closely. We are not against price adjustments by market forces per se; we believe businesses should be transparent and consumers given more information when prices are adjusted.
We have consistently called for transparency on pricing, such as our task force on transparency in hospital bills in 2004. We will continue to take a firm position on unjustified or non-transparent price increases.
Case has been an affiliate member of Consumers International since early 2004. Case is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that draws on the strength of more than 200 volunteers who help us champion consumer issues.
Case serves consumers from all sectors of society. Besides handling individual complaints, we also conduct public talks to raise awareness of consumer problems.
Leadership is provided by the Central Committee of 19 elected members, including the president and vice-presidents. Six are institutional members with a union and cooperative background and the rest are individuals and professionals who volunteer their time. We welcome people from all walks of life to contribute their time and expertise to the consumer movement in Singapore.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Price hikes and the role of the consumer watchdog
TODAYonline
A well researched forum letter, consumerW is impressed...
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Price hikes and the role of the consumer watchdog
Weekend • December 23, 2006
Letter from Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the Consumers Association of Singapore's (Case) reply, "GST profiteering unethical" (Dec 15).
In response to concerns expressed in the media about price increases for essential items with the impending GST hike, Case has said that consumers can report to the Committee Against Profiteering (CAP). How many cases of profiteering have been determined by the CAP since its establishment in 2002?
The prices of various essential goods and services have gone up recently. For example, electricity tariffs have increased a few times, postage prices were raised, and both bus and MRT fares went up from Oct 1.
Does Case examine and speak out on such increases, especially when the services are provided by monopolies? I remember that it used to do so in the past.
In 2002, Case saw a walkout of members in a public clash of ideology and questions over what causes should be championed. The 13 members who resigned included lawyer Stephen Loke, who had chaired several committees within Case. That same year, Case spoke up against increases in public transport fares and called for the Government to monitor the impact of higher hospital fees.
In countries such as the United Kingdom, consumer associations are independent and free of any connection with the government.
Such independence is the case in almost every developed country in the world, because there may be inherent conflicts of interest — the interests of consumers may often be at odds with the goods and services provided or indirectly influenced by Government or government-linked companies.
One of the requirements to be a full member of Consumer International, the international association for consumer associations, is that they must be independent of party politics.
In Singapore, the president and vice-president of Case, as well as the chairperson of CaseTrust Advisory Council, are all Members of Parliament.
A well researched forum letter, consumerW is impressed...
-------------------------------------
Price hikes and the role of the consumer watchdog
Weekend • December 23, 2006
Letter from Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the Consumers Association of Singapore's (Case) reply, "GST profiteering unethical" (Dec 15).
In response to concerns expressed in the media about price increases for essential items with the impending GST hike, Case has said that consumers can report to the Committee Against Profiteering (CAP). How many cases of profiteering have been determined by the CAP since its establishment in 2002?
The prices of various essential goods and services have gone up recently. For example, electricity tariffs have increased a few times, postage prices were raised, and both bus and MRT fares went up from Oct 1.
Does Case examine and speak out on such increases, especially when the services are provided by monopolies? I remember that it used to do so in the past.
In 2002, Case saw a walkout of members in a public clash of ideology and questions over what causes should be championed. The 13 members who resigned included lawyer Stephen Loke, who had chaired several committees within Case. That same year, Case spoke up against increases in public transport fares and called for the Government to monitor the impact of higher hospital fees.
In countries such as the United Kingdom, consumer associations are independent and free of any connection with the government.
Such independence is the case in almost every developed country in the world, because there may be inherent conflicts of interest — the interests of consumers may often be at odds with the goods and services provided or indirectly influenced by Government or government-linked companies.
One of the requirements to be a full member of Consumer International, the international association for consumer associations, is that they must be independent of party politics.
In Singapore, the president and vice-president of Case, as well as the chairperson of CaseTrust Advisory Council, are all Members of Parliament.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Housing, Food, and Transport the main bulk of household expenditure
hes.pdf (application/pdf Object)
The statistics show that these are the areas that need closer monitoring to ensure that consumers' costs of living are manageable.
The statistics show that these are the areas that need closer monitoring to ensure that consumers' costs of living are manageable.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Every little hurts
Comment is free: Every little hurts
Does it also happen in Singapore? That was the first reaction when consumerW first read the above article. With consumers asking for cheap prices, have we forgotten the consequences of that? Food for thought...
Does it also happen in Singapore? That was the first reaction when consumerW first read the above article. With consumers asking for cheap prices, have we forgotten the consequences of that? Food for thought...
Friday, December 08, 2006
Consumer Watchdog Singapore (consumerW) Blacklist
Consumer Watchdog Singapore (consumerW) announces the start of a consolidated blacklist of errant companies in Singapore. This list is compiled from public domain sources, e.g. newspapers, statutory boards, etc.. The blacklist can be accessed on the website menu on the right of this webpage or here.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
MAS releases findings from its review of switching of investment products
MAS :News Room, Press Releases
consumerW is glad that MAS is concerned about the unethical practices. However, the press release seems vague on how serious the situation is.
consumerW is glad that MAS is concerned about the unethical practices. However, the press release seems vague on how serious the situation is.
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