KUALA LUMPUR: The government will issue a gazette to mandate the withdrawal of children's products sold by major China-founded online shopping companies if reports of high levels of toxic substances are confirmed.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Minister Fuziah Salleh said her ministry needs to gather more information about the reported products for verification by relevant authorities, such as the Department of Chemistry.
She said if the reports are proven to be true, the ministry will take precautionary measures, including issuing a gazette to instruct the related manufacturers or importers to withdraw the products from the market immediately.
"First, we need to identify the products and obtain it for verification by the relevant authorities, such as the Department of Chemistry, to determine whether they contain prohibited substances as claimed.
"If confirmed by the relevant agency's reports, the ministry can issue an order through a gazette to instruct the related manufacturers or importers to immediately withdraw the products from the market.
"This is similar to the case of the Seven Color Crystal Ball, which was found to be harmful to consumers based on the facts and reports from the relevant agency," she told the New Straits Times when contacted today.
She said they will also issue a content removal order from all online platforms if there is evidence that the products are dangerous to consumers.
"There must be clear facts from the examination by the Chemistry Department. Only then can we request the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to remove the content from platforms like Shopee and Lazada, including site blocking.
"We are concerned that the company might sue for defamation if it is based on hearsay."
Fuziah also confirmed that the ministry had not yet received any complaints related to these reports.
On Wednesday, the government of South Korea's capital Seoul said children's products sold by the Chinese-founded online shopping giant Shein contained toxic substances in amounts hundreds of times above acceptable levels.