KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): The government will table an E-Commerce Bill to regulate foreign e-commerce platforms operating in Malaysia.
Speaking in Parliament while tabling Budget 2027 on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is taking seriously complaints from small traders over the entry of the companies into the domestic market without adequate oversight.
Anwar said the bill would be tabled at an upcoming parliamentary sitting to strengthen the accountability of online marketplaces and sellers, but did not specify a date.
"The government is expediting legal and enforcement measures to protect the interests of local MSMEs from unfair competition, whilst also ensuring that goods purchased by the public are safe," he said.
There has been increasing scrutiny of cross-border e-commerce platforms, such as China's Pinduoduo, which has gained traction among Malaysian consumers through its ultra-low-priced products.
Local retailers say it is difficult for them to compete with the influx of inexpensive imported goods, which face different regulatory, taxation and compliance requirements.