Consumers Association Penang - CAP

Consumers Association Penang - CAP CAP is a grassroots non-profit, non-governmental organization. The scope of CAP's concerns has expanded from matters of daily living and more.

Consumers Association of Penang is a unique organization that focuses on sustainable and ethical consumption and challenges current aggressive advertising industry that is unfettered and shapes peoples consumption to lifestyles and behavior that is unsustainable, unethical and inequitable.

CAP Bimbang Sungai Juru Semakin TercemarLebih kurang 100 penternak kerang dan nelayan di Kampung Kuala Juru, Seberang Pe...
12/05/2026

CAP Bimbang Sungai Juru Semakin Tercemar

Lebih kurang 100 penternak kerang dan nelayan di Kampung Kuala Juru, Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) Pulau Pinang berada dalam kebimbangan berikutan pencemaran Sungai Juru yang semakin serius berlaku ketika ini. Kejadian yang disyaki berpunca dari pembuangan sisa kilang dan sisa kolam ternakan udang di kawasan tersebut telah menjejaskan lebih 50% hasil pendapatan mereka akibat kematian kerang yang diternak dan ikan di dalam sungai berkenaan.

Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) dalam tinjauan yang dibuat mendapati air Sungai Juru sentiasa keruh dipercayai tercemar oleh sisa buangan dari pintu saliran sisa kilang dan saluran paip buangan sisa kolam ternakan udang yang terletak berhampiran sungai itu.

Menurut Ketua Nelayan Kuala Juru, Wahid Othman, 50, masalah ini serius berlaku sejak setahun lalu apabila pintu sisa buangan kilang di Sungai Derhaka yang menghubungi Sungai Juru dibuka semula setelah ditutup sejak sekian lama kerana ia menjadi salah satu punca berlakunya pencemaran ini. Beliau memberitahu, pembuangan sisa kimia ke dalam Sungai Juru kerap berlaku pada waktu pagi menyebabkan air sungai ini menjadi kehitaman dan berbau. Selain banyak kerang yang mati, bangkai ikan juga pernah ditemui oleh nelayan di sini terapung dipermukaan air.

Wahid berharap pihak berkenaan menyiasat masalah ini dan mengambil tindakan segera ke atas punca utama pencemaran ini berlaku. “Saya bimbang jika keadaan ini berterusan mata pencarian penternak kerang dan nelayan-nelayan yang terlibat akan terus merosot sekali gus menjejaskan kehidupan keluarga”, tegasnya.

CAP memandang serius masalah ini dan bersimpati dengan nelayan-nelayan yang terlibat. CAP menggesa kerajaan Pulau Pinang, Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS), Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS), Jabatan Perikanan dan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) bertindak segera mengatasi masalah pencemaran Sungai Juru yang semakin membimbangkan ini. Penutupan segera saliran yang tercemar dengan sisa buangan di sepanjang Sungai Juru perlu dilakukan bagi menyelamatkan sungai tersebut dari terus tercemar.

Kesan pencemaran yang berlaku ini bukan saja mengancam alam sekitar dan sumber pendapatan nelayan di sini tetapi juga menjejaskan bekalan makanan untuk rakyat. CAP meminta supaya pihak kerajaan membantu penternak kerang dan nelayan yang terlibat dengan memberi bantuan kepada mereka bagi meneruskan aktiviti yang sudah lama diceburi.

Mohideen Abdul Kader
Presiden
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP)

DAMAGED BANKNOTES CAN BE EXCHANGEDDon't let damaged banknotes stress you out! Simply exchange them at any bank and carry...
11/05/2026

DAMAGED BANKNOTES CAN BE EXCHANGED

Don't let damaged banknotes stress you out! Simply exchange them at any bank and carry on with confidence.

Unfit currency whether defaced, mutilated or otherwise damaged, may still hold value. Take the opportunity to exchange them at any bank.

What condition must a banknote be in to be exchanged? Examples of banknotes that do not meet prescribed quality standards and are no longer suitable for distribution, and should be exchanged are: burnt, crumpled, punctured, ink-worn, shrunk and repaired banknotes.

In doubtful cases, financial institutions are to advise the customer that the currency needs to be sent to Bank Negara Malaysia for assessment. The value will be refunded into the customer’s account after assessment.

(Members of the public are advised to liaise directly with their respective financial institution and regularly check its website for updates.)

Importance of Clean Banknotes

Clean or fit banknotes help to ease identification of security features. A Malaysian banknote is considered fit for recirculation if it meets all of the following criteria:
> Genuine and not counterfeit
> Free from holes, tears, tape or missing portion
> Has uniform brightness and free from excessive soiling
> Free from ink-wear, particularly on the portrait of SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong
> Free from defacement

Source: Bank Negara

For more information: https://bnm.gov.my/currency/handling

CAP Bimbang Aktiviti Pengambilan Pasir Jejas Alam Sekitar dan Kehidupan Penduduk Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) m...
11/05/2026

CAP Bimbang Aktiviti Pengambilan Pasir Jejas Alam Sekitar dan Kehidupan Penduduk

Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) menggesa Kerajaan Persekutuan menguatkuasakan pengharaman eksport pasir sungai ke luar negara secara menyeluruh kepada semua negeri bagi mencegah dan mengawal hasil bumi negara ini dapat dikekalkan dan tidak mengancam alam sekitar pada masa kini dan akan datang.

Mengulas permohonan kerajaan Pahang supaya negeri ini dibenarkan mengeksport pasir, CAP berharap supaya pihak Kerajaan Negeri akan meneliti dan mempertimbangkan impak jangka masa panjang kerana kesan buruk yang akan melibatkan alam sekitar dan kehidupan rakyat tempatan tidak boleh dinilai dengan hasil pendapatan yang bakal diperolehi.

Pengalaman CAP sebelum ini mendapati aktiviti pengambilan pasir sungai di beberapa buah negeri banyak menjejaskan alam sekitar dan ekosistem sungai bukan saja kerana kurangnya pengawasan dan kelemahan penguatkuasaan undang-undang oleh pihak berwajib tetapi juga kerana sikap pengusaha pasir yang rakus tanpa memikirkan masalah yang akan berlaku. Perlombongan pasir sungai secara tidak terkawal boleh mengubah struktur sungai, meningkatkan risiko banjir dan juga menimbulkan gangguan bekalan air bersih.

Ramai penduduk yang tinggal berhampiran kawasan kuari pasir sungai beroperasi merungut dan membantah kegiatan tersebut kerana ia menyebabkan berlakunya hakisan dan tanah runtuh yang menjejaskan kawasan pertanian serta kediaman mereka termasuk pencemaran bunyi bising dan gegaran akibat jentera yang beroperasi. Aktiviti pengambilan pasir sungai ini juga mengancam sumber perikanan dan hasil pendapatan penduduk tempatan kerana air sungai yang terlibat mengalami pencemaran.

CAP percaya dan bimbang jika aktiviti pengambilan pasir sungai beroperasi secara berleluasa hasil bumi ini akan lenyap dalam jangka masa yang cepat dan berlaku bencana alam seperti banjir kilat yang akan mengancam kehidupan penduduk dengan lebih serius serta memusnahkan harta benda mereka termasuk segala kemudahan asas yang disediakan oleh kerajaan.

Mengenai masalah sungai yang semakin cetek akibat mendapan, CAP menggesa semua kerajaan negeri, Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) dan jabatan yang terlibat menguatkuasakan undang-undang serta peraturan yang sedia ada supaya punca-punca kejadian sisa mendapan dari darat dapat dikawal dengan berkesan kerana tindakan mencegah itu lebih baik dari berubat.

Mohideen Abdul Kader
Presiden
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP)

(Aktiviti mengorek pasir sungai boleh menjejaskan alam sekitar. - Gambar hiasan)

OUTWARDLY SIMPLE, INWARDLY RICH: A Simple Life is A Happy LifeIf you want to be happy, stay simple. A life of simplicity...
10/05/2026

OUTWARDLY SIMPLE, INWARDLY RICH: A Simple Life is A Happy Life

If you want to be happy, stay simple. A life of simplicity and calmness is the best recipe for happiness.

Finding joy in simple pleasures, and being true to oneself rather than meeting societal expectations offer lasting happiness, a new study shows.

Research from the University of Otago, New Zealand found that stepping away from material excess brings greater day-to-day satisfaction.

In the study, people report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction when they adopt a simpler way of life and more sustainable habits.

Called voluntary simplicity, this way of living reduces stress, boosts happiness, and fosters stronger relationships by rejecting materialism in favour of time and experiences. It confers well-being that material wealth alone cannot provide.

Valuing time over money results in greater fulfillment. Focus on prioritizing quality over quantity, intentionally choosing to have less material baggage to cultivate a more conscious, meaningful, and sustainable life. The greatest wealth is to live content with little, said the ancient philosopher and great thinker Plato.

In the modern world, success is frequently defined by materialistic measures such as wealth, property, and high-status possessions. Choose satisfaction and contentment over "success". As world famous scientist Albert Einstein said, "A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.”

Adopt slow living. A slower pace of life fosters appreciation for the present moment, making life more meaningful. Make space for reflection and self-awareness in everyday life. Find wonder in daily moments.

Live better, not faster.

(Illustration: Facts2Focus)

NETHERLANDS BANS FIREWORKS to Protect People, Animals and the Environment In July 2025, the Dutch Parliament passed a la...
09/05/2026

NETHERLANDS BANS FIREWORKS to Protect People, Animals and the Environment

In July 2025, the Dutch Parliament passed a law banning ordinary citizens from purchasing and setting off fireworks.

The decision for the ban, set to take effect at the turn of the year 2026 to 2027, was made after many years of public debate surrounding safety, injuries, and environmental harm.

This monumental step, driven by compassion and common sense, aims to protect animals and wildlife, and people who have long suffered from the noise and chaos of fireworks.

Fireworks have a significant negative impact on the environment. They release toxic chemicals, start fires, pollute in myriad ways, and torment wild and domestic animals.

The sensory experience of fireworks can also harm people, including those with chronic illnesses. The noise can also be extremely traumatic for some people with mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, and for some people with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism.

The fireworks ban will protect pets and wildlife from stress and trauma, prevent thousands of annual injuries, reduce property damage, and ease the pressure on hospitals and emergency services in the country.

Several hundred million people are thought to be exposed to harmful firework smoke every year in the country, and children in particular, are more susceptible to exposure.

The Dutch are lovers of fireworks — the greatest in Europe. In the Netherlands, New Year’s Eve fireworks are often set off in the street, and the resulting damage has escalated recently. On 1 January 2024, 1,162 people were injured by fireworks, and two died, BBC reported. And fireworks-related damage was estimated to be €16 million ($17.5 million).

The new ruling means that it will now be illegal for consumers to set off fireworks, promoting safety for both people and animals.

While private fireworks will be banned, cities will still be allowed to host controlled professional displays, ensuring celebrations remain festive without the risks associated with home launches.

The country hopes this shift will inspire calmer, cleaner, and safer New Year traditions — where people, pets, and nature can all share the holiday without harm. It’s a major step toward responsible and peaceful celebration culture.

Source: Plant Based News; Tech Times

(Image credit: Culture Collective)

CAP Gesa Hakisan Sungai Nenggiri Di Gua Musang, Kelantan, Ditangani SegeraPersatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) menggesa...
08/05/2026

CAP Gesa Hakisan Sungai Nenggiri Di Gua Musang, Kelantan, Ditangani Segera

Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) menggesa Pejabat Tanah dan Galian (PTG) Kelantan dan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) menjalankan siasatan dan mengambil tindakan segera berhubung aktiviti mengorek pasir di Sungai Nenggiri yang menyebabkan berlaku hakisan tebing sungai tersebut.

Mengulas laporan akhbar tempatan hari ini (Berita Harian, 8 Mei 2026 ), CAP kesal dan bimbang dengan kejadian itu kerana ia boleh mengancam alam sekitar dan kehidupan penduduk-penduduk kampung berhampiran dengan lebih serius lagi pada masa akan datang jika masalah itu berterusan.

Menurut Setiausaha Jawatankuasa Pembangunan dan Keselamatan Kampung Persekutuan (JPKKP) Kampung Bertam Lama, Mohd Azhri Hasan, 57, aktiviti ini yang mula beroperasi sejak lebih enam bulan yang lalu ini juga turut menjejaskan jalan kampung berkenaan akibat dilalui kenderaan berat yang mengangkut pasir di kawasan tersebut.

Selain itu, lebih 1,000 penduduk Kampung Bertam Lama di sini juga bimbang kerana pam pasir yang beroperasi di kawasan itu terletak kira-kira 500 meter dari tanah perkuburan. Mohd Azhri berkata, penduduk di sini tidak pernah dimaklumkan tentang pembukaan lokasi mengepam dan mengorek pasir berhampiran kampung mereka.

Di samping berlaku hakisan tebing sungai dan kerosakan jalan di kampung berkenaan, CAP percaya jika keadaan ini tidak ditangani segera bukan saja tanah perkuburan akan terancam tetapi kawasan pertanian juga mungkin terhakis serta pelbagai spesies hidupan dalam sungai tersebut akan pupus dalam jangka masa terdekat.

Justeru itu CAP berharap pihak berkenaan menjalankan siasatan secara menyeluruh terhadap isu ini dan kajian semula perlu dilakukan bagi menjamin supaya alam sekitar tidak tergugat dan kehidupan penduduk-penduduk kampung yang terlibat tidak terkesan oleh aktiviti mengorek dan mengepam pasir di kawasan berkenaan.

CAP menegaskan, tebing Sungai Nenggiri yang mengalami hakisan dan jalan yang rosak di Kampung Bertam Lama perlu dibaiki segera demi keselamatan dan keselesaan penduduk-penduduk kampung di sini

Mohideen Abdul Kader
Presiden
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP)

(Beginilah keadaan Sungai Nenggiri di Gua Musang yang mengalami hakisan. Foto NSTP/Paya Linda Yahya)

TOP 5 MINUMAN “POTONG KAKI”Bunyi kasar. Tapi kadang kadang, orang memang perlukan ayat yang terus masuk. Sebab ramai mas...
08/05/2026

TOP 5 MINUMAN “POTONG KAKI”

Bunyi kasar. Tapi kadang kadang, orang memang perlukan ayat yang terus masuk. Sebab ramai masih sangka, “Ala, saya bukan makan sangat pun.” Padahal yang senyap senyap menolak gula naik setiap hari ialah apa yang kita minum.

Yang potong kaki bukan satu cawan. Bukan satu hari. Bukan satu jenama.

Yang bawa orang ke sana ialah gula yang lama tak terkawal. Luka yang lambat sembuh. Saraf yang rosak. Aliran darah yang makin teruk. Dan semuanya bermula dengan tabiat kecil yang dibuat hari demi hari.

Jadi, ini 5 minuman yang paling kerap sabotaj rakyat tanpa mereka sedar.

1. BUBBLE TEA & AIR BOBA. Nampak macam “reward” kecil. Tapi sekali masuk pearl, cream, brown sugar, topping, dia bukan lagi minuman. Dia dah jadi pencuci mulut dalam cawan.

2. AIR GAS & SODA MANIS. Ini antara minuman paling licin masuk. Tak kenyang. Tak bagi puas. Tapi gula dia laju masuk dalam badan. Minum satu, lepas itu rasa macam biasa sahaja. Itulah perangkap dia.

3. KOPI DAN TEH VIRAL YANG TERLALU MANIS. Ramai rasa selamat sebab ada nama kopi atau teh. Tapi bila dah masuk syrup, whipped cream, susu pekat, susu manis, drizzle, foam, itu bukan lagi sekadar kopi. Itu gula berpakaian cantik.

4. JUS, KORDIAL & MINUMAN BUAH PROSES. Ramai tertipu dengan perkataan “buah”. Padahal banyak yang ini cuma air manis dengan rasa buah. Bila serat dah tiada dan gula tambahan p**a tinggi, badan tetap terima beban yang sama.

5. MINUMAN TENAGA & MINUMAN SUKAN. Yang ini ramai orang sihat pun minum macam air biasa. Konon nak bagi segar. Konon nak bagi boost. Padahal kalau anda bukan atlet yang betul-betul perlukan, ramai sebenarnya cuma sedang minum gula dalam botol yang nampak aktif.

Masalah besar bukan sebab anda minum sekali sekala. Masalahnya bila minuman manis jadi rutin. Pagi kopi manis. Tengah hari air berperisa. Petang boba. Malam soda.

Akhirnya kita hairan kenapa gula susah turun. Kenapa berat makin naik. Kenapa luka lambat baik. Kenapa kaki mula kebas. Kenapa bacaan makin lama makin tak cantik.

Kadang kadang, musuh itu bukan nasi yang anda takutkan sangat. Tapi apa yang anda sedut perlahan lahan setiap hari.

Kalau anda serius nak jaga gula, mula tengok gelas dulu. Sebab ramai orang gagal bukan di pinggan. Ramai gagal di minuman.

Sumber: Public Health Malaysia

CAP Backs Balanced Enforcement for Public Housing IntegrityThe Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) supports the Penan...
07/05/2026

CAP Backs Balanced Enforcement for Public Housing Integrity

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) supports the Penang state government’s decision to evict ineligible tenants from public housing where there is clear evidence of violations or abuse of the terms and conditions under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR), administered by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. It must be clearly understood that PPR tenancies are contractual and temporary in nature, typically granted for a period of two to three years and extended only on a case-by-case basis, subject to continued eligibility.

Under these agreements, residents are required to meet strict criteria, including remaining within prescribed income thresholds, not owning other property, occupying the unit as their primary residence, and paying subsidised rent and maintenance charges consistently. Subletting or transferring occupancy is strictly prohibited, and tenants are expected to provide accurate information during periodic reviews conducted by the authorities.

The urgency of enforcement is highlighted by the scale of the problem. The state’s public housing schemes have recorded rental arrears exceeding RM2 million, involving more than 1,100 occupied units. In Penang, there are four PPR schemes, namely PPR Taman Manggis, PPR Taman Bagan Jaya, PPR Mak Mandin and PPR Permatang Tok Suboh, comprising 999 units, of which 934 are currently occupied. These figures highlight both the high demand for such housing and the strain caused by non-compliance and arrears.

However, the present situation reflects not merely individual non-compliance but deeper systemic shortcomings. Enforcement has historically been uneven, with limited and infrequent income verification, weak monitoring of occupancy, and a general reluctance to carry out evictions due to social and political sensitivities. As a result, some tenants have been able to remain in PPR units for decades, well beyond the intended duration. In certain cases, tenants have under declared income, acquired higher value assets such as vehicles, or even relocated elsewhere while continuing to retain and sublet their units for financial gain.

Such practices undermine the very purpose of PPR as a transitional safety net for low-income households. They distort allocation, deny access to genuinely deserving applicants, and contribute to mounting rental arrears. Nonetheless, enforcement should not be indiscriminate. A more calibrated and humane approach is required.

Moreover, it must be recognised that the number of PPR units is limited, and therefore strict monitoring and consistent enforcement are essential to prevent abuse. The primary objective of the programme is to provide temporary housing assistance to genuinely deserving low-income households, not to be exploited as a long-term or profit generating arrangement.

In cases where units have been sublet, the authorities may consider reviewing the eligibility of current occupants. If these subtenants genuinely meet the criteria, there is merit in allowing them to continue renting under a newly regularised arrangement, while declaring the original tenancy null and void. This would prevent disruption to deserving households while correcting abuse.

Similarly, rental arrears should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. While deliberate non-payment must be addressed firmly, there are tenants who face genuine financial hardship due to unemployment, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances. For such cases, structured repayment plans or targeted assistance may be more appropriate than outright eviction.

We are of the opinion that, ultimately, the effectiveness of public housing depends on both clear rules and consistent enforcement. A balanced approach, firm action against abuse yet fair and compassionate towards legitimate need, is essential to restore integrity, ensure equitable access, and uphold public confidence in the system.

Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang

(Graphic for illustrative purposes. Photo from The Star)

WHY PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER HAS AN EXPIRY DATEEver noticed that plastic bottled drinking water carries an expiry date? Pur...
06/05/2026

WHY PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER HAS AN EXPIRY DATE

Ever noticed that plastic bottled drinking water carries an expiry date? Pure water does not go bad. Why state a shelf life, you may wonder. Here’s what you should know.

The expiration date on bottled water is mainly about the plastic bottle, not the water itself. Over time the plastic can slowly break down and allow small amounts of chemicals to leach into the water. This is especially so when the packaged bottle is stored or exposed to sunlight or heat.

The kind of plastic used in many water bottles, can leach toxic things such as antimony, bisphenols, phthalates, and microplastics into the water or beverages inside, which is hazardous for health. This can also affect the taste, smell, or quality of the water.

Most single-use plastic water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET or plastic #1). Although considered a “safer” plastic, compared to, for example, vinyl (plastic #3), it’s still constantly shedding small pieces of plastic (micro- and nanoplastics) into drinking water.

Scientists have cautioned that drinking water in plastic bottles contains countless plastic particles too small to see. A one-liter (33-ounce) bottle of water contains some 240,000 plastic fragments on average, according to a study. Research shows that people who drink water from plastic bottles on a daily basis ingest far more microplastics than those who don’t – i.e. 90,000 more microplastic particles each year.

Ingested microplastics accumulate in the organs including the liver, kidneys, lungs – even the brain, the most powerful organ in our body. Researchers looked for plastic during autopsies from 91 people and found their brains had stored up to 20 times as much microplastic as other organs. Those who had died from Alzheimer’s were carrying more plastic in their brains than those who were healthy but died from accidents or violence.

While many microplastic particles ingested are excreted, others can cross the intestinal barrier and persist, causing potential inflammation, disrupting the gut microbiome, and acting as carriers for toxic chemicals.

Choose safety and health over convenience. Drink water stored in stainless steel or glass bottles instead of water from a plastic bottle.

(Image credit: Easy Eco Tips)

SHARP SPIKE IN CURRY LEAF PRICESRM18 per kg is daylight robbery! – CAP Consumers are now paying between RM14 and RM18 pe...
05/05/2026

SHARP SPIKE IN CURRY LEAF PRICES
RM18 per kg is daylight robbery! – CAP

Consumers are now paying between RM14 and RM18 per kilogram for curry leaves in wet markets, a steep increase from what should cost as little as RM1 per kilo if grown domestically.

A recent CAP survey found that curry leaves are being sold in small bunches priced between RM3 and RM4, with each bunch weighing about 100 grams.

This translates into significantly inflated per-kilogram prices, raising concerns about profiteering in local markets, particularly in areas such as Little India, Penang where demand is higher.

“Curry leaves were once given free with the purchase of coconuts, but now consumers are being forced to pay exorbitant prices,” says CAP's Natural Farming Training Officer N. V. Subbarow.

Households, especially homemakers, should cultivate their own curry leaf plants. The cost of doing so can be as low as RM1.

"The plant is easy to grow, requires minimal maintenance, and can thrive in small spaces using basic materials such as seeds, potting mix and a simple container,” Subbarow said.

Beyond cost savings, home-grown curry leaves are healthier as they are free from chemical pesticides.

By growing their own herbs and vegetables, Malaysians can cushion themselves against rising food prices while embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

Read more:
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/cap-slams-daylight-robbery-as-curry-leaves-prices-soar-to-rm18-per-kg/

Strengthen Reliability and Accountability at KLIAThe Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the government to i...
04/05/2026

Strengthen Reliability and Accountability at KLIA

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the government to investigate recurring disruptions at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), particularly those affecting the aerotrain and baggage handling systems. These incidents raise legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of maintenance and asset management practices. While such failures may indicate shortcomings in preventive maintenance, it would be overly simplistic to attribute them solely to this factor.

KLIA, which commenced operations in 1998, is now approaching three decades in service and remains the busiest airport in Malaysia. With annual passenger volumes recovering to around pre-pandemic levels, estimated at approximately 60 to 65 million passengers, it is operating under sustained and growing demand. Given its age and heavy utilisation, KLIA requires a more systematic, forward-looking maintenance regime rather than reliance on corrective or emergency repairs.

As the operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) bears responsibility not only for routine maintenance but also for long-term asset planning, timely system upgrades, and effective oversight of contractors. Many of the airport’s systems are ageing, and even well-maintained infrastructure requires periodic replacement or major refurbishment. Delays in these areas can increase the risk of operational disruptions.

At the same time, the performance of external vendors, procurement decisions, and budgetary priorities also play critical roles. Preventive maintenance is only one component of a broader ecosystem that includes lifecycle management, funding allocation, and operational strategy.

Taken together, the pattern of recurring issues suggests gaps not only in maintenance, but also in overall planning, coordination, and ex*****on. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive approach that goes beyond routine servicing, encompassing stronger governance, clearer accountability, and forward-looking investment in critical airport systems.

There have been numerous reported incidents in recent years that warrant urgent attention:
• In April 2026, a reported power disruption at a regional substation affected the baggage handling system at KLIA Terminal 1, resulting in significant delays and requiring manual sorting by ground personnel.
• Reports of basic facility issues, including roof leaks, intermittent power outages, and deteriorating amenities, suggest that some assets may be operating beyond their intended design lifespan.
• With Malaysia’s total passenger traffic projected to continue rising sharply, airports such as those in Penang and Kota Kinabalu are experiencing increasing congestion. While expansion projects are underway, they appear to be catching up with demand rather than anticipating it.
• In April 2026, a reported system outage disrupted immigration clearance systems nationwide, including the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) and MyBorderPass QR facilities. This led to manual processing at key entry points, including KLIA and Johor land checkpoints, and caused prolonged delays.
• In November 2025, water leakage at KLIA Terminal 1 near the departure hall check-in counters highlighted possible shortcomings in contractor procedures. Maintenance and construction works in critical areas should incorporate proper weather risk assessment and safety protocols.

The Government should closely examine the systemic issues affecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which is managed and operated by MAHB. In Malaysia alone, MAHB manages 39 airports. Given the critical importance of airport operations, where timing, safety, and reliability are paramount, these recurring disruptions may point to deficiencies in preventive maintenance, asset renewal planning, and operational oversight.

CAP urges the Ministry of Transport Malaysia to hold MAHB accountable and to accelerate both preventive and corrective measures. Without timely and decisive action, recurring failures will continue to undermine passenger confidence and may ultimately affect the efficiency and reliability of flight operations.

Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang

(Source for images in graphic: social media)

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