Sunday, October 11, 2009

Fomca: Green strategy needed in automotive policy review

PETALING JAYA: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) has called on the Government to ensure that the review of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) emphasises "the people-first approach" to protect consumers.

Fomca president Datuk N. Marimuthu said the present NAP merely outlined "easier ways to get cars into consumers' spending list by increasing fuel subsidy and easy car loan facilities."

The review should also integrate a green technology policy into the NAP so that less carbon dioxide was emitted into the environment by reducing the number of cars on the road, he said when commenting on the Government's intention to review the NAP.

The reduction, he said, could be done by improving the public transport system and making it more efficient, convenient and user-friendly.

He added that the NAP should also emphasise on the efficiency of the car itself.

"Consumers in Malaysia deserve fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars with alternative energy that helps reduce fuel usage and carbon dioxide emission," he said.

Marimuthu said the NAP should also address traffic management issues, because putting more cars on the road caused parking woes, traffic congestion and pollution.

He suggested that an "end of life vehicles" scheme be incorporated into the NAP to make it more affordable for consumers to own new cars.

According to him, many countries, like Japan and the United States, had such a scheme which helped to develop a new industry based on recycled car components.

"Base on statistics, 90% of car components can be recycled, thus helping to reduce pollution and preserve Mother Nature," he said. - Bernama

No comments: