MALAYSIANS should practise prudent spending and make informed purchasing decisions, particularly during the fasting month of Ramadan, said PM Anwar.
Launching the National Consumer Day celebration, Sunday, he reminded the public that the occasion serves as an important platform to promote consumer awareness and encourage responsible spending habits.
He said while shopping activity typically increases during Ramadan, consumers should prioritise purchasing essential items and seek products that offer better value.
“The spirit of National Consumer Day is to remind people to buy what they need and to choose goods with reasonable prices,” he said.
Anwar also commended the efforts of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Malaysia for actively providing platforms and initiatives to help consumers make better purchasing decisions.
These initiatives, he said, include programmes such as “Jualan Rahmah” and other discounted sales campaigns aimed at helping the public access quality goods at lower prices.
He said the ministry had also introduced systems and programmes designed to educate consumers and provide them with the knowledge needed to make wise financial decisions.
“Consumers should not be easily influenced by advertising and promotional campaigns without evaluating the actual need for a product,” he said.
Referring to a concept of “conspicuous consumption” introduced by an economist Thorstein Veblen, Anwar said consumers often feel compel to purchase goods simply because they are influenced by marketing and public perception.
“People sometimes buy things they do not need, whether cheap or expensive, because they are captivated by advertisements,” he said.
Anwar said consumer education was therefore essential to ensure purchasing decisions were based on knowledge, information and facts.
He added that the government views consumer awareness programmes such as National Consumer Day as important reminders for the public to avoid unnecessary spending and to prioritise the needs of their families.
The prime minister was here on Sunday for a series of official and community engagements, including attending the Keadilan Mini Convention and the opening of the state-level Divisional Annual General Meeting (MATC).
