Malaysia to table e-commerce bill early 2026 for stronger regulations
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the ongoing review of e-commerce laws, which began in April 2024, will conclude by August after extensive stakeholder consultations.
'The current legal framework lacks clear regulatory powers over electronic transactions. The existing Electronic Commerce Act mainly serves as an enabling act, while enforcement relies on temporary measures under the Consumer Protection Act,' Armizan told reporters after an engagement session.
He noted that Malaysia's e-commerce sector continues to grow, with revenue rising from RM1.13 trillion in 2022 to RM1.22 trillion in 2023.
The new bill aims to create a fair and comprehensive framework that supports industry growth without stifling innovation.
One key concern is the regulation of foreign e-commerce platforms. 'At present, the ministry has no authority to regulate or monitor foreign platforms without a physical presence in Malaysia,' Armizan said, highlighting issues like tax inequality and an influx of foreign products.
Discussions are underway with countries like China and Turkiye to establish government-to-government mechanisms for cross-border e-commerce oversight.
Consumer protection remains a priority, particularly regarding automated decision-making (ADM) systems and algorithms that may contain manipulative elements.
The ministry is also reviewing recent fee hikes by e-commerce platforms, which Armizan described as poorly timed.
'While blocking such decisions entirely may not be realistic, we are exploring a mechanism requiring platforms to consult with relevant agencies before implementing fee changes,' he said.
The review process has involved 23 engagement sessions, six roundtable discussions, four international benchmarking visits, and feedback from over 300 respondents.
Additional sessions will be held in Sabah and Sarawak. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
15 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Digital Economy Awards returns this year with seven categories
The highlight of DEA 2025 will be the Premier's Digital Economy Award, to be conferred on the most outstanding winner among these seven categories. – Bernama photo KUCHING (July 24): The Sarawak Digital Economy Awards (DEA) is back this year, taking place in conjunction with the 8th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2025. The award categories for DEA 2025 are the Digital Technology Transformation Award; Research & Development and Commercialisation Award; Entrepreneurship and Startup Award; Digital Government Award; Digital Creative Content Award; Environmental Sustainability Award; and Digital Leadership Award. The highlight of DEA 2025 will be the Premier's Digital Economy Award, to be conferred on the most outstanding winner among these seven categories. This is where the winners from the seven award categories will be further evaluated for their strategic deliverable strategy, leadership in digital transformation, development of the ecosystem, capacity and capability building, as well as the creation of value for their organisations. 'DEA 2025 promises to celebrate digital innovation, collaboration, and progress, providing a platform for visionaries, pioneers, and innovators to inspire, collaborate, and pave the way for a digitally advanced Sarawak. 'The winners this year are certainly the ones to watch,' said the organisers in a press release. Submissions for DEA 2025 are now open until Sept 15 this year, and can be made online via More information, including submission guidelines and evaluation criteria, is available at On IDECS 2025, the organisers said the event is themed 'AI & Green Evolution: Growth, Challenges, and Community Resilience'. 'The event serves as a dynamic platform where global leaders, innovators, and stakeholders come together to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in promoting green evolution. 'At the core of this theme is a deep commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence to address complex challenges to establishing and sustaining the green evolution among stakeholders and communities.' The organisers said through engaging discussions and thought-provoking sessions, IDECS 2025 aims to chart a course towards a more sustainable and resilient future, driven by the transformative potential of AI. IDECS, spearheaded by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg , has been instrumental in Sarawak's digital transformation journey. Since its inception, it has evolved into a globally recognised platform, catalysing major state initiatives such as the Development Bank of Sarawak , Sarawak Multimedia Authority, and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation.
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
New app to tackle cooking oil subsidy abuse
KUALA LUMPUR: The Mobile eCOSS (Cooking Oil Stabilisation Scheme) Application will be able to provide data on the demand of cooking oil to curb smuggling and subsidy leakages, says Datuk Seri Armizan Ali ( pic ). The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry said the data will also help in deciding government policy in ensuring the delivery of cooking oil subsidy. 'We didn't have the exact updated data on the usage of cooking oil, but with eCOSS, we will have the purchase data. 'From here, than we can draft the way forward policy to target cooking oil subsidies to those who are eligible,' he said when wrapping up his ministerial replies when debating the Auditor-General's Report in Dewan Rakyat, a first in Parliament. Armizan also said that his ministry has initiated a pilot project on the app in Johor in May. He added that the mobile app would also allow the government to monitor sales of cooking oil to foreigners. 'The application will be rolled out gradually, ensuring system stability before full implementation. 'Through the Mobile eCOSS App, retail purchase data will be recorded, allowing the ministry to monitor retailer sales records and consumer purchase data, including identities based on National Registration Department records. 'This strategy enables monitoring and enforcement against sales and purchases exceeding limits or to foreigners,' he added. The latest A-G report found that the current policy on subsidised cooking oil is not comprehensive and has allowed non-targeted groups, including non-citizens, to benefit from the subsidy. The department said the existing framework under COSS lacked clear eligibility requirements for the purchase of subsidised cooking oil, with the Auditor-General recommending that the ministry improve its COSS guidelines to tackle leakages.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
New Zealand enacts laws to regulate space infrastructure
WELLINGTON: The New Zealand government passed legislation yesterday to regulate the use of ground-based space infrastructure following concerns about foreign actors using it to harm national security. Space Minister Judith Collins said in a statement that the Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill would take effect next Tuesday and from then ground-based space infrastructure, such as satellite tracking stations and telemetry systems, would be subject to oversight and safeguards. The law "supports New Zealand's interest in the safe, secure and responsible use of space and stops any attempts by foreign entities that do not share our values or interests," Collins said. "Ground-based space infrastructure in New Zealand plays a vital role in supporting global satellite operations and space activities, but without regulation, it can also pose risks to national security and other national interests." Featured Videos Under the new law, anyone operating ground-based space infrastructure will need to confirm with the government that they have appropriate security arrangements in place and due diligence systems to assess any partners. The South Pacific nation's location and clear skies make it a good place to launch and monitor satellites from, with the European Space Agency among those keeping an eye on space from New Zealand. The new regulations, which were flagged at the end of 2024, come after New Zealand's intelligence service raised concerns last September that some foreign entities had tried to establish space infrastructure, which would have "assisted foreign military activity that could have harmed New Zealand interests". "They have deliberately disguised their affiliations to foreign militaries and misrepresented their intentions," Collins told Parliament on Tuesday. While neither the minister nor the report mentioned China specifically in relation to the incidents, the broader report noted that China remained a complex intelligence concern in New Zealand, but there were other states undertaking malicious activity as well. New Zealand is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence grouping, along with the United States, Australia, Canada and Britain. — REUTERS
