Dewan Rakyat passes bill to strengthen MyCC powers to tackle cartels and monopolies

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Competition Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at strengthening the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) and ensuring comprehensive enforcement of the country’s competition law framework.

The bill was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 12 members of Parliament from both the government and opposition blocs.

In his winding-up speech, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the bill, which contained 34 amendments, was important in strengthening a fair, transparent and dynamic market amid increasingly complex cartel activities.

He said Sections 4 and 10 of the existing Competition Act specifically provide for the regulation of price fixing, market sharing, production control, bid rigging, and the abuse of a dominant position or monopoly.

Through the latest amendments, he said MyCC’s powers to require the provision of information had been extended to include the implementation of market reviews.

“This measure is to strengthen MyCC’s role so that market reviews are conducted in a more comprehensive and holistic manner, while addressing difficulties previously faced in obtaining information from government agencies, enterprises and certain parties,” he said.

To ensure the smooth management of an increasingly extensive organisation, Armizan said the bill also introduced new provisions under Section 17A on the delegation of powers and functions.

He said that without clear provisions, the efficiency of MyCC’s daily operations and administration could be affected.

Earlier, government and opposition MPs who took part in the debate on the bill raised concerns over the proposed extension of MyCC officers’ powers to impose financial penalties, fearing it could lead to abuse of power.

Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar), who supported the proposal for MyCC to be given powers to impose financial penalties and late payment charges, said its implementation should be guided by clear, transparent and consistent guidelines to prevent undue burden on micro, small and medium enterprises and small businesses.

According to him, the penalties imposed should be stringent enough to deter large companies from treating them as a cost of doing business.

“If the profits gained from breaking the law are much higher than the penalties imposed, then the law will not deter anyone.

“In imposing penalties, we also need to distinguish between large cartels that deliberately distort the market and small enterprises that may commit offences due to a lack of understanding,” he said.

Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis @ Fakharudy (Warisan-Kota Belud) suggested that the government establish a MyCC branch in Sabah to strengthen the enforcement of competition laws and expedite action on complaints related to cartels and monopolies in the Borneo region.

The same issue was also raised by Datuk Abdul Khalib Abdullah (PN-Rompin) and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (BN-Kalabakan).

The Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes tomorrow. — Bernama