REMBAU, October 16- The beauty industry in Malaysia is flourishing in line with development at the global level, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek.
However, Hasan said industry players generally played a role as providers of products and professional services while Malaysians are always cautious in buying beauty products and obtaining services.
“We have issued a guideline for the beauty industry last year which aims to guide practitioners to be more careful and professional in their business and for consumers to be more cautious in using products and services.
“There are various acts or regulations to regulate the industry including the Medical Act 1971, Registration of Pharmacists Act 1951, Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and the Traditional and Complementary. Medicine
Act 2012,” he said after launching the state-level ‘Jom Bawa Bekal Ke Sekolah’ at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sepri, near here today.Hasan said generally, companies and Malaysians spent RM1.6 billion annually on beauty treatment and products.
According to Hasan, business registration records showed that a total of 39,928 companies carried out beauty services or businesses as at Oct 1 this year.
“This business, valued at about RM30, is considered to be flourishing and the government is commited in its efforts to develop the beauty industry by helping them expand their business and market.
“There are several financial institutions and government agencies which can help entrepreneurs develop inside and outside the country, for example SMECopr and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE),” he said.
Meanwhile, Hasan said that based on the ministry’s statistics, the number of complaints, cases filed and total value of beauty-related claims had dropped from 28 complaints in 2011 to 24 complaints in 2013.
Hasan said at the same time, the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia recorded a drop in the number of cases filed and claims from 2011 to 2013.”In 2011, a total of 443 cases were filed with claims valued at RM2.6 million.
This has dropped to 266 cases with claims for RM1.4 million in 2013,”he said, adding the government generally felt that although the beauty industry had grown, Malaysians had matured and become wise in making choices.
– BERNAMA
