The Star PUTRAJAYA: Consumer groups and doctors are calling for laws, instead of guidelines, to curb unethical practices in the beauty industry.
The Health Ministry is expected to come out with a set of guidelines soon.
“We welcome the Health Ministry’s initiative but guidelines are not enough,” said National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) senior manager Matheevani Marathandan.
“I believe the best way to protect consumers from unethical practices is through a legal framework, accompanied by serious enforcement and a proper redress structure under the Health Ministry,” said Matheevani.
“It’s a known fact that guidelines do not have enough bite,” wrote Consumers Association of Penang president, S.M. Mohamed Idris, in response to The Star’s report on the new guidelines.
Mohamed Idris said that if there are only guidelines, consumers would have to take legal action or seek monetary redress from the Consumer Claims Tribunal.
Consultant plastic surgeon Dr Lee Kim Siea thinks there should be some form of punitive measures incorporated into the new guidelines. “Otherwise, who cares? I’ve seen a number of patients who suffered from these problems, and treatment for botched jobs are usually difficult and sometimes impossible,” said Dr Lee.
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