Vials of Covid-19 vaccines in Lima, Peru. － Reuters
Twenty-eight organisations, including the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), and three community activists are calling for Malaysia to join other developing countries in a global effort to remove monopolies on crucial medical products in the fight against Covid-19.
A letter was sent to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last week as members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) continue discussions of a proposal to temporarily suspend implementation, application and enforcement of several parts of the WTO’s intellectual property agreement for a defined period.
This move will open the door to more research and development as well as production of needed Covid-19 medical products – diagnostic kits, medicines for treatment, vaccines and also personal protective gear.
WITH the emergence of online businesses and with students having to attend classes online, there has been a spike in demand for laptops and computers. There is also a pressure to have these to be able to compete in the current challenging economic situation
Prohibition on slaughter of chickens at Penang wet markets makes traders see red Pix for representational purpose only.
PETALING JAYA: The ban on slaughtering chicken at wet markets led to a face-off between vendors and local authorities in Penang.
Vendors say their customers prefer freshly dressed chicken to frozen ones but the Penang Island City Council, which announced the imposition of the ban this week, feels cleanliness has become an issue.
In tandem with this grouse is the perception that all vendors must henceforth obtain their supplies from a single distributor, which the council has refuted.
The more than 200 poultry vendors on the island have also claimed that the new requirements would put a dent in their business.
PETALING JAYA: Consumer groups have urged the government to revisit its criteria on what kind of business services can open during the movement control order period given the inconsistent interpretation as to what constitutes “essential services”.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Datuk Paul Selvaraj questioned the government’s criteria, adding that it had to explain its decision as this had an impact on businesses and workers.
“There must be a clear reason and there should be support for the workers.
“Is the government going to introduce a package for workers who are going to lose their jobs? What is the support for them? Is the moratorium going to be extended?