SINGAPORE - The management of Sim Lim Square and People's Park Complex, two malls in the news recently for retailers with unethical practices, have been asked to make sure landlords enforce stricter rental pacts.

Last Friday, the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) sent letters to these two malls to appeal to them to change their rules and by-laws to make it mandatory for all landlords to ensure that retailers run their businesses fairly.

In particular, rental agreements should state that retailers must conduct their business according to the fair practices under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA).

In a statement on Monday, Mr Seah Seng Choon, Case executive director, said: "If the retailers or landlords breach the CPFTA in their rental agreements, the management should have the authority to compel the landlords to terminate the rental agreement and if necessary, impose severe penalties on the landlords and/or retailers that are in breach of the act."

Case's move comes after several shops in Sim Lim Square and People's Park Complex had come under fire over the last month after a high number of complaints were made against their unfair sales tactics. At Sim Lim Square, recent incidents include the case of a Vietnamese tourist who had to beg on his knees for a refund after he was allegedly overcharged for an iPhone.

In November, the management of Sim Lim Square had pleaded for more help from the authorities and said it found it hard to clamp down on errant retailers. It said it was unable to kick out tenants who practise unfair sales tactics as the mall is owned by multiple landlords.

Case has given the management of both shopping malls until Dec 5, Friday, to reply.

Mr Seah called on the management of both malls to "do their part to strengthen the enforcement process against recalcitrant offenders".