The letter Banks have a right to charge service fees refers

Consumers may have had freedom of choice but as a result of the recent consolidation of banks and finance companies, they now have a smaller choice in terms of banking accessibility and service quality.

Many a time we easily yield to unfair practices by the banks and it is about time we make known our grievances to enable these service providers to change and improve.

If we do not initiate a change for the better, it will be waste of the nation's infrastructure built using the rakyat's money. Ultimately, the consumer bears the cost of all these inefficiencies in the free market.

Maybank's decision to impose a fee for its online services is not justifiable as prices for goods and services should be on best cost basis. The banking sector consolidation, automation dan information communication technology must bring benefits to consumers in the form of reduced costs, fair prices and better services.

What is the rationale of charging for merely maintaining an Internet account? Did the bank acquire its online technology at an unjustified price and is now trying to recoup the cost from its loyal customers?

All of us are striving for a better nation in which trade practices are fair and not prone to abuse. Incentives should be given to encourage the population to adopt automated and Internet banking services instead of discouraging them with fees and charges.

The writer is the secretary-general of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca ).