KUALA LUMPUR: A feasibility study on the so-called lemon law – legislation to protect buyers of cars and other goods that fail quality and performance standards – will be carried out this year, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       The Ayer Hitam MP said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry would carry out the study and once it was completed, a policy decision would be made at ministry level before the legal framework was set up.

       "It would empower consumers to claim for losses if their purchased vehicles broke down or failed to abide by quality standards or performance criteria as stated by their supplier," he said in a statement on Facebook on Monday (March 11).

       The MCA president said this was the written reply he received from Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

       Dr Wee had asked if the government was considering drafting a lemon law covering the automotive industry as a means to protect consumers during the warranty period after the purchase of a vehicle.

       "I hope (such a law) will be able to protect consumers and at the same time, not affect the country’s automotive industry," he said.

       Under a lemon law, an affected consumer would be able to request for a reduction in price or a refund.

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       The United States, Singapore, South Korea, China and the Philippines are among countries that have a lemon law in force.