GPs warned against imposing new charges
PETALING JAYA: Private medical practitioners have been warned not to introduce new service-related charges as it could infringe the Competition Act 2010, says the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC).
Its chairman Tan Sri Idrus Harun said the commission expressed grave concern over recent reports from multiple media outlets regarding proposals by associations of private medical practitioners in Sarawak, Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to impose the fees.
'These include additional fees such as prescription charges, registration fees, regulatory compliance charges and facility fees, either already implemented or currently under consideration.
'MyCC firmly maintains that any decision made by associations, including those representing private general practitioners (GPs) to introduce these additional fees, may infringe the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712),' he said in a statement yesterday.
Under Section 4(2)(a) of the Act, GPs are considered 'enterprises' and any agreement between enterprises, including the decision by association to set prices or trading conditions may be deemed anti-competitive.
'Such conduct is categorised as a serious infringement.
'It constitutes a breach of the Act regardless of whether it is implemented or simply agreed upon,' Idrus added.
He said when associations collectively agree to introduce new charges, such action may be interpreted as an agreement to fix trading conditions.
'Similarly, any recommendation of a price range, regardless of whether it is binding or not, may be regarded as the conduct of price fixing under Section 4 of the Act,' he said.
Idrus said the MyCC urged the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak to retract its advisory issued to members encouraging the implementation of specific new fees.
'MyCC also calls upon the Private Medical Practitioners' Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur and the Penang Medical Practitioners Society to refrain from convening meetings or taking any steps that may result in collective decisions to fix fees or introduce uniform charges,' he said, adding that these actions may be considered infringements of the law.
Should there be such breaches of the Act, the MyCC may impose a financial penalty of up to 10% of its worldwide turnover for the duration of the infringement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
All job contracts must be stamped from next year, says LHDN
PUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has announced that all employment contracts between employers and employees must be stamped with effect from Jan 1 next year. This directive is in line with the phased implementation of the Stamp Duty Self-Assessment System as outlined in Budget 2025, it said in a statement on Friday (June 6). ALSO READ: 'Stamp duty for job contracts another burden for businesses' LHDN said comprehensive stamp duty audit activities had already been conducted nationwide since January this year, following the issuance of the Stamp Duty Audit Framework. "Through the audit activities and compliance operations, one of the key findings has been that many employment contract documents between employers and employees have not been stamped as required under Item 4, First Schedule of the Stamp Act 1949, where the stamp duty is set at RM10," the statement read. It said that to ease the burden on employers, the Finance Ministry has agreed to exempt employment contracts executed before Jan 1 this year from stamp duty obligations. ALSO READ: Job contracts stamping rule could hurt SMEs This requirement is enforced based on the powers granted to the Finance Minister under subsection 80(1A) of the Stamp Act 1949 and the authority to remit late stamping penalties provided to the Collector of Stamp Duty under subsection 47A(2) of the same Act. In addition, employment contracts finalised from Jan 1 to Dec 31 this year will be subject to stamp duty. However, a remission of late stamping penalties will be granted, provided that the employment contracts are stamped on or before Dec 31, under the powers of the Collector under subsection 47A(2) of the Act. ALSO READ: Stamp duty on employment contracts burdens businesses, says association According to LHDN, employment contracts finalised from Jan 1 next year will be subject to stamp duty, and any delays in stamping will result in penalties being imposed. It urged all employers to review and update existing and upcoming employment contracts to ensure full compliance with stamping requirements as stipulated under the Act. – Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Ilham Tower seized again by MACC
PETALING JAYA: The iconic Ilham Tower (pic) has been seized again by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) – this time under a different Act. The anti-graft body did so after receiving legal authorisation for the seizure from the deputy public prosecutor's office. The tower, owned by the family of the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, whose widow Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid is facing charges in court, had been seized in 2023 but the order expired recently. With the new order, all dealings related to the 274m-tall tower's transfer of ownership will be prohibited. The MACC said it had ordered the immediate seizure of the 60-storey skyscraper under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. 'Through a notice of seizure of immovable property under the section on June 4, the authorisation for seizure was granted pursuant to the powers conferred upon the Public Prosecutor under Section 376(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593). 'This means the deputy public prosecutor is satisfied with the information provided by the MACC related to an offence under subsection 4(1) of the AMLATFPUAA 2001 for this case,' it said in a statement yesterday. The tower was originally seized by the MACC in December 2023 due to an offence under the MACC Act 2009. That seizure order expired after 18 months. The seizure is believed to be part of an anti-money laundering probe that started in late May this year over a RM2.3bil (US$500mil) corporate transaction in November 1997 involving public-listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM), both Umno-linked entities. Meanwhile, lawyers for Na'imah has issued a statement, labelling the seizure as 'pure harassment'. 'The same building has already been seized by the MACC and yet, is now being seized again. 'In short, they want to keep seizing our client's property even though there is no evidence of corruption. 'We will, on behalf of our client, challenge the seizure of Ilham Tower in court immediately,' said lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal. On May 22, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said eight investigation papers had been opened into the assets owned by Daim, his family and proxies, which had not been declared to the MACC during the initial 2023 investigation. On Wednesday, the High Court allowed an application by the MACC to freeze £132mil worth of assets in London that were also allegedly linked to Na'imah and her family.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Penang to meet vape industry before deciding on possible sales ban
GEORGETOWN: The Penang government will engage with vape industry players before making any decision on a potential ban on the sale of vape products in the state. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government had received a letter from representatives of the vape industry regarding the matter. "They wanted us to hear them out, and we are prepared to do so. "I have instructed the relevant state executive council member to meet with them and listen to their concerns," he told reporters today, adding that the letter was received recently. Last month, State Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi told the state legislative assembly that Penang might consider imposing a statewide ban on the sale of vape products next year if enforcement under the new smoking control law proves ineffective. The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into force on Oct 1 last year, aims to strengthen regulations on the sale, advertising, and promotion of all smoking products, including e-cigarettes and vape, across Malaysia. The Act specifically targets individuals under the age of 18, prohibiting them from selling, purchasing or using any smoking product by any means. Chow added that Penang was not the only state considering a statewide ban on the sale of vape products. He said several other states were also exploring the same move. "Of course, we are aware of the health risks associated with the irresponsible use of vape products. "However, there are other issues we need to consider. Imposing a ban will have various consequences and may not effectively address the social problems related to the underground sale of vape products. "As such, we need to study the matter carefully before making any decision," he added.
