The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) wants the sale of decorative lights originally known as Christmas lights to be stopped immediately as they can cause electric shocks and are potential fire hazards.
CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris said with festive seasons lasting from now until the end of February next year, several shops were selling the lights with various names such as running, chasing, net and rope lights, depending on the configuration and the animation effects.
“A survey conducted by CAP recently at several popular shopping centres showed none of the lights sold had the certificate of approval from the Energy Commission as there was no such label on the boxes.
“When we took the products back and tried them, some failed to function properly and with one, the components were dislodged and fell apart,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
Mohamed Idris said the decorative lights usually come in sets of 30 to 800 miniature bulbs strung up in a chain, rope or net formation, their lighting effects adjustable with a control device. Some also had accompanying music.
“The latest products even include cardboard or paper cut-outs to suit the festival,” he said.
He said that CAP had been raising the issue with the authorities for nearly 30 years, but to no avail.
“I hope the Commission, Sirim, the Customs Department and the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry will stop the import and sale of these items immediately,” he added.
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