KUALA LUMPUR (July 2): Further studies and engagement sessions must be carried out before the merger control regime can be included in Malaysia’s competition law, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said on Thursday.
He said the government will introduce a centralised merger-control framework at a later time within the 13th Malaysia Plan period (2026-2030).
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Armizan said there is a need to centralise competition enforcement powers, as currently they are split across various agencies, each covering their own jurisdiction.
“At the same time, Malaysia Competition Commission's (MyCC) enforcement capacity needs to be strengthened immediately.
"Therefore, the decision that has been made is, first to focus this round of amendments on strengthening MyCC's enforcement capacity through the amendments that have already been outlined,” Armizan said in wrapping up the debate on the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The minister was responding to Bagan Serai MP Datuk Idris Ahmad, who asked why provisions on merger controls were not introduced in the current amendment Bill.
The Bill was later was passed by majority voice vote.
In 2022, MyCC launched a public consultation exercise over various proposed amendments to the Competition Act 2010, including the introduction of a merger control regime.
At present, there are several sector-specific merger controls in Malaysia, including for telecommunications under MCMC and aviation under the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
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