SIBU: The Sarawak National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) has come forward to provide support and advisory services to a complainant, who is the owner of an online education platform, following a dispute with her company’s former strategic partner.
The case came to attention after the complainant contacted MTPN president Lucas Lau Sieu Sing to seek assistance regarding the ongoing harassment and allegedly unfounded claims from the individual involved.
According to Lau, the issue, which initially stemmed from a dispute over employment status, eventually revealed the abuse of legal channels, which could affect the credibility of government institutions, as well as the safety of consumers, especially students and parents.
“The outcome of the investigation into the chronology of the case found that the individual tried to distort the facts by claiming to be a permanent employee when his real status was only a part-time tuition teacher simply to claim financial compensation,” he said in a statement on Monday (April 20).
Lau, who has accompanied the complainant to lodge a police report, explained that although the Department of Labour had ruled that no employer-employee relationship existed, the individual allegedly continued to harass and spread slander via social media.
He stressed that such actions are not only unethical but also potentially violate the provisions of the Employment Act 1955 regarding the classification of workers as well as the Communications and Multimedia Act if they involve the dissemination of false information.
Lau also warned that no party should misuse the time and resources of civil servants by making false accusations, instead government facilities should be utilised by those who really need them.
Meanwhile, he said that the intervention of MTPN Sarawak in this case was in line with its role as a protector of consumer rights, especially in the private education sector.
“In this context, education companies act as service providers, while students and parents are consumers who need to be protected from any non-transparent practices.
“The actions of individuals who collect fees privately without the company’s knowledge and transfer learning sessions to their own homes without official supervision clearly expose consumers to risk.”
He added that the absence of official records in the company’s system could affect consumers’ rights to seek protection in the event of any technical or security issues during the learning session.
This situation, he pointed out, also violates the basic principle of consumers’ right to obtain accurate information and safe services.
“MTPN is committed to ensuring that the private education ecosystem in Sarawak remains intact and free from fraudulent elements that can harm the community.
“When such act outside the official system, it not only affects the reputation of local businesses, but also denies students the right to receive the promised standard of education.”
In this regard, he stressed that MTPN Sarawak would continue to monitor such cases to ensure that no party manipulates the system for personal gain to the point of neglecting consumer welfare.
“This case is hoped to be a lesson to the community to always be vigilant and not allow government resources to be misused for certain interests, thus ensuring that justice and harmony for all parties are preserved.”
