Kuala lumpur: The Dewan Rakyat today successfully passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026, incorporating several amendments during the committee stage. The bill received approval through a majority voice vote, following Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali's proposal of a minor amendment to Clause 22. This amendment was introduced to rectify a typographical error in paragraph (f) regarding a subsection reference that had been renumbered.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the debate on the bill saw participation from 18 Members of Parliament on Thursday, after which it was approved at the policy stage. The Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026 aims to enhance enforcement against anti-competitive practices, addressing the increased use of technology in cartel activities and the misuse of dominant market positions. It includes 34 clauses and proposes amendments to Section 24 by introducing a criminal offence for attempts to destroy, conceal, mutilate, or alter records and data to obstruct investigations by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC).
Furthermore, during the tabling of the Malaysia Competition Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its second reading, Armizan highlighted that the administrative functions and powers of MyCC would be fortified and streamlined. Following the Dewan Rakyat's approval of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026, additional amendments to the Competition Commission Act 2010 are necessary to ensure comprehensive implementation and enforcement of the country's competition law framework.
Armizan clarified that the amendments are not intended to expand MyCC's powers without limit but to align the commission's mandate with current administrative requirements and the increasingly complex challenges in enforcement and investigations. The act, effective since 2011, established MyCC as a federal statutory body responsible for enforcing the Competition Act 2010, conducting investigations, and determining breaches of prohibitions under the act.
The proposed amendments aim to provide a clearer and more structured administrative framework, enabling MyCC to efficiently, responsively, and effectively enforce competition law in Malaysia. A significant change is the renaming of the Competition Commission to the Malaysia Competition Commission, aligning with the naming convention of other statutory bodies in the country.
The amendments further clarify MyCC's advisory role to the minister, relevant authorities, and regulatory bodies on competition policies, procedures, and programmes. The proposed amendment to Section 17 would authorize MyCC to impose financial penalties, late payment charges, and administrative fees and charges relating to its functions and services. Additionally, the bill introduces a provision allowing the commission to delegate specific functions and powers to its chairman, officers, or employees, subject to prescribed conditions.
The amendments also address procedures for appointing investigating officers, expand confidentiality obligations to include matters related to the Competition (Amendment) Act 2026, and provide for consequential and transitional provisions following the renaming of the Competition Commission to the Malaysia Competition Commission.