Kuala lumpur: The Senate today passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks to strengthen efforts to combat cartels, monopolies, and other anti-competitive practices that contribute to the rising cost of living.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the amendments empower the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) to deal more effectively with new tactics used by companies to evade enforcement and enhance action against anti-competitive practices, particularly those involving digital technology and the abuse of dominant market positions.
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Senator Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh stated that the amendments adopt a phased reform approach to enable more comprehensive enforcement. The initial focus is on addressing enforcement gaps identified throughout the implementation of the Competition Act 2010, including strengthening powers of investigation, market reviews, settlements, undertakings, and related provisions.
Fuziah highlighted that future reforms will introduce a merger control regime under the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030) to strengthen the country's competition ecosystem. This regime is expected to complete Malaysia's competition law framework, allowing MyCC to take broader action beyond addressing cartel issues and the abuse of a dominant market position.
Responding to concerns over the scope of the amendments, Fuziah assured the Senate that the law is not aimed at restricting the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or associations, but rather at curbing collusive conduct that harms market competition.
Earlier, when tabling the Bill for its second reading, Fuziah noted the challenges posed by the rapid growth of the digital economy and new business models, which have made anti-competitive practices increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. She mentioned that enterprises involved in cartels or the abuse of dominant market positions have become more adept at executing anti-competitive practices.
The amendments to the Bill focus on enhancing provisions related to enforcement against anti-competitive conduct, MyCC's investigative powers and procedures, decision-making processes, and the appeal mechanism at the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Fuziah emphasized that healthy market competition encourages businesses to improve efficiency, innovation, and product quality while offering consumers more competitive prices.
The Dewan Rakyat passed the Bill on July 6, which comprises 35 clauses covering investigative and enforcement powers, decision-making procedures, and provisions governing the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Fuziah also shared that the MyCC has imposed financial penalties totalling RM667.3 million on 270 companies for various anti-competitive conduct offences between 2012 and July this year.
She revealed that the commission is currently conducting 13 active investigations, including 12 cases involving bid-rigging cartels affecting more than 1,000 companies, with the combined value of the tenders involved in these bid-rigging cases exceeding RM2 billion. Additionally, RM5 million has been allocated to recruit 35 additional enforcement officers to further strengthen the commission's capacity to enforce the act.
According to Fuziah, MyCC is also enhancing the capabilities of its Digital Forensics Unit and improving the skills of its officers to address competition issues arising from technology and artificial intelligence. The Bill was passed by a majority vote after being debated by six senators. The Dewan Negara sitting continues tomorrow.