Consumer Watchdog Says More Teeth May Not Be Good

The Consumer Council's chief executive, Gilly Wong, on Friday dismissed suggestions that the watchdog lacks bite because it doesn't have the power to prosecute offenders, saying its current status gives it more flexibility.

Wong said prosecutorial powers would be a "double-edged sword" for the council.

"Think about it, if it is enforcement power, we are working according to the standard of the law. That means there's a baseline that we have to just to keep up with," she said.

She said the council may be able to do more without enforcement power.

"In many cases if we see any malpractices, which probably will not be covered by laws or could not be covered by law, we can use a high moral ground to reprimand the traders, to name and shame them," she said.

She told RTHK's Ian Pooler that Germany's consumer watchdog is one good example of a body that is effective without having enforcement power.

The Consumer Council, which was set up 40 years ago, marked the publication of the 500th edition of its publication, 'Choice magazine' on Thursday.