XN000022-1994-10-06 — Page 38

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994

"THESE MEETINGS SUPPLEMENT THE FORMAL MINISTERIAL MEETING AND OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A CORDIAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN. PERSONAL CONTACT AT THIS SENIOR LEVEL, ESTABLISHED IN PREVIOUS APEC MINISTERIAL MEETINGS ARE VERY USEFUL, MR CHAU SAID.

..

"THEY HELP TO ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION AND IN MANY WAYS ARE ONE OF THE MOST BENEFICIAL ASPECTS OF PARTICIPATION.

THE FORMAL MINISTERIAL MEETING WILL BE INAUGURATED BY PRESIDENT SUHARTO TODAY (THURSDAY).

MR CHAU WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY ΤΟ HAVE FURTHER BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH OTHER TRADE MINISTERS.

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CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A $10 MILLION CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST CONSUMERS IN BRINGING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS TRADERS,

CHARITABLE TRUST.

THE FUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED AS A

"THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THAT UNDER SECTION 4(1)(E) Of THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL SHALL BE APPOINTED TO ACT AS THE TRUSTEE OF A TRUST TO BE TERMED THE CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

*

THE

ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THE FUND WILL BE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN MARCH THIS YEAR.

"THE FUND WILL PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO GROUPS OF CONSUMERS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION ON A COLLECTIVE BASIS. THIS WILL AVOID MULTIPLE ACTIONS AND HENCE PROMOTE MORE EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS," HE SAID.

"THE FUND WILL ALSO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE ΤΟ INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS TO INITIATE LEGAL ACTIONS WHICH HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, HE ADDED.

THE FUND WILL ONLY ASSIST THOSE LEGAL ACTIONS ON CONSUMER TRANSACTIONS WHICH ARE WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND PERMITTED UNDER EXISTING LAW, FOR EXAMPLE, LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST SUPPLIERS OF UNMERCHANTABLE GOODS AND UNREASONABLE EXEMPTION CLAUSES.

"THE

FUND WILL IMPROVE CONSUMERS' ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND HELP PROTECT THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS, HE SAID.

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"WHERE BUSINESSES ARE CONCERNED, THE AVAILABILITY ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FUND WILL HELP ENCOURAGE GOOD BUSINESS THROUGH INCREASING THE RISK OF BEING SUED FOR MALPRACTICES."

OF LEGAL PRACTICES

/THE FUND