KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) wants the government to immediately crack down on, seize and ban all hazardous novelty products that are on sale in the market, following the finding of a “Shock Chewing Gum” capable of giving a sharp electric shock.

In a recent survey, the novelty toy, priced at RM6 and designed to look like Wrigley’s chewing gum, contains a strip of ‘gum’ which can be pulled out, triggering a switch which sends a jolt pf electric shock through the arm.

Questioning the safety of such an item, the group called for the Domestic Trade Co-Operatives and Consumerism ministry (KPDNKK) to determine how the product was able to enter the country.

“The ministry must immediately look into this matter as the novelty toy manufacturer replicated Wrigley’s chewing gum and is selling it as a dangerous toy. If it is not a dangerous toy then why must the manufacturer print the health warning on the toy and its packaging?

“Moreover, the law states that registered children’s’ toy manufacturers and distributors must attach a Certificate of Conformance to obtain a certified MC KPDNKK logo before it is marketed,” said CAP president SM Mohamed Idris in a statement, referring to the Malaysia Conformity logo.

“We are keen to know how such dangerous toys can be imported and sold under the very noses of the authorities.”

Mohamed also urged the Health ministry to address the impact on a person’s health when exposed to such toys.

He said, in the statement, that the relevant authorities should ban the toy as it is not a ‘novelty’ for a person to experience the trauma and pain from a sharp electric shock.

“Besides the numerous hazardous toys that are on sale in supermarkets, shops and stalls throughout the country, there are novelty items that are capable of giving an electric shock that have made a comeback.

“Such devices also come in the form of novelty pens and toy pistols which gives the person using the pen or pressing the trigger of the pistol a sharp electric shock,” he said.

Mohamed has advised the public to think twice before buying such items which may cause harm to others.

“They might think that it is amusing but it is not so to the person who suffers the agonising pain besides being a potential danger to those with health concerns,” he said.