Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah State Consumer Movement (GPN) will continue to strengthen consumer protection through an inter-agency approach in addressing current challenges involving the cost of living, food safety, digital transactions and online scam threats.
GPN Sabah Co-Chairperson Datuk Julita Majungki said the GPN Sabah Meeting No. 1/2026, held here, served as an important platform to coordinate views and further strengthen cooperation among various ministries, enforcement agencies, consumer bodies and relevant stakeholders.
“An inter-agency approach is crucial because today’s consumer challenges are no longer isolated in nature, but instead involve multiple areas, including the economy, food safety and digital security,” she said when co-chairing the meeting on Monday.
Julita said the increasing use of digital platforms among consumers has created greater convenience but, at the same time, has increased exposure to online scams, personal data misuse and the spread of misleading information.
“Scammers are moving fast. Therefore, awareness and collective action by all parties must also move even faster,” she said.
In this regard, she stressed that efforts to strengthen digital literacy and consumer awareness will remain among the key focuses of ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies.
At the same time, Julita said issues related to the cost of living and food safety will continue to receive attention through cooperation with various stakeholders to ensure consumer interests remain protected.
She further emphasised that GPN Sabah will continue to serve as a strategic coordination platform in strengthening integrated action between government agencies and consumer-related strategic partners.
“A knowledgeable consumer is an empowered consumer, and this is the foundation of more effective consumer protection,” she said.
She expressed hope that strengthened cooperation through GPN Sabah will continue to contribute towards protecting consumer interests and improving the wellbeing of the people in the state.
Also present were GPN Sabah Chairperson Shahril Nizam Shahidin; Sabah Ministry of Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing (KWKKR) Permanent Secretary Datuk Maria Chong; Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Sabah Deputy Chief Enforcement Officer Fredeck Kantod; Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS) General Manager Datuk Dr Ts Ramle Kasin; Department of Chemistry Sabah Director Ts Harun Ahmad; Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Sabah Director Ratnawaty Talib; Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) Deputy Permanent Secretary II Dr Cleopatra @ Clare Asing; Consumer Affairs and Protection Association of Sabah (CAPS) President James Bagah; Sabah National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) President Kevin Loh Kian Min; and National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (Sabah Branch) President David Chan.
