The Direct Selling Association of Malaysia (DSAM) today launched an enhanced version of its code of conduct, a set of guidelines advocating the practice of ethical direct selling and consumer protection. DSAM president Paul Yee said the code, which was in line with the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations' code of conduct, was first launched in 1998.

"To better reflect the changing times, DSAM made enhancements to the original code of conduct to provide a better framework in four areas, namely, conduct towards consumers, conduct towards direct sellers, conduct between direct selling companies, and code enforcement," he said at the launch here. The launch was officiated by Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom who said there are currently 670 direct selling companies in the country.

Mohd Zain said DSAM's 55 member companies which comprised listed, multinational and local direct selling companies are required to abide by the code of conduct. He also said that the ministry was concerned with the many pyramid and "get rich quick" schemes in the market, especially during the economic downturn.