SEREMBAN, Nov 9: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will issue new guidelines on cases that can be referred to the Consumer Claims Tribunal.

Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the guidelines were needed in view of the formation of the special Housing Tribunal under the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act 1966.

"We must know what cases can be referred to the Consumer Claims Tribunal and what should be heard by the Housing Tribunal. We do not want the same case to be heard by the two tribunals." He was speaking after launching the Seremban Puspakom clients' charter at its outlet, near here, today.

On Aug 19, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said a special Housing Tribunal would be set up soon.

It would handle claims of less than RM25,000. Claims above that would be heard by the normal courts.

Ong was also quoted as saying that the ministry was looking for the best candidate to head the tribunal.

Muhyiddin said a meeting between senior officers of the two ministries on the matter was held last week. "We need to issue guidelines fast so that our functions will not overlap." He said the ministry received many complaints of shoddy work done on houses, exorbitant prices by developers and houses not built to specifications.

More than 3,000 complaints, including housing problems, had been filed with the Consumer Claims Tribunal since its formation about two years ago.

On another matter, Muhyiddin said retailers, suppliers, importers and exporters had given their assurance that there would be no shortage in essential goods during the festive season.