Kuala lumpur: The Dewan Negara was informed today that the Ministry of Communications, via the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is actively monitoring service providers, including Astro, to ensure they meet information transparency and clarity standards. Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil emphasized that this monitoring is enforced under the General Consumer Code (GCC) 2022, which obliges service providers to inform subscribers of all terms and conditions before finalizing any agreement.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi highlighted that non-compliance with the GCC could lead to prosecution under Section 242 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, with penalties of up to two years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM100,000, or both. He stressed that consumers also have a responsibility to exercise due diligence before subscribing, which includes understanding the commitment period, usage limits, additional charges, service coverage, and the consequences of early termination.

Fahmi addressed questions regarding Astro's transparency prior to contract signing by small traders. He noted that directing Astro to issue a warning notice before legal action is a commercial decision based on contract terms. Astro offers two main subscription packages: a commercial package for business premises with public viewing rights and a residential package for private, in-home viewing only. The prohibition of using the residential package in commercial premises is detailed in clause 3.7 of Astro's residential terms and conditions.

In response to a question about MCMC's oversight of Astro's local content contributions and job creation in the creative sector, Fahmi clarified that the government no longer mandates such quotas for new broadcast licenses. This policy change arose in discussions during the Asean Reciprocal Trading Agreement (ART), and these quotas no longer apply to newly issued licenses.