Armizan says new e‑commerce Bill will tighten platform and seller accountability

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 23 — The Malaysian government is set to introduce a new e-commerce Bill to bolster regulation and accountability for online platforms and sellers, according to Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. The proposed legislation aims to replace the outdated Electronic Commerce Act 2006, which only confirmed transactions without clearly defining legal responsibilities for e-commerce entities.

Armizan highlighted the current Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living's limited authority and the absence of a comprehensive legal framework to govern the various facets of e-commerce. The Cabinet Memorandum advocating for the new bill was submitted to the Prime Minister's Office two months ago, and the drafting phase is currently underway, with the bill expected to be presented during the next parliamentary session.

The e-commerce Bill's introduction comes amid a surge in digital business growth and a heightened need for regulatory oversight. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently stated that the government intends to expedite the drafting process to enhance the facilitation and regulation of the e-commerce sector. The new legislation would address various cybercrime threats, including cyberbullying, financial fraud, love scams, and overseas job offer scams, which can force victims to become unwitting agents of fraud syndicates.

In response, the government has drafted specific legislation, such as the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), and issued guidelines under Bank Negara Malaysia. Armizan stressed the importance of user responsibility in mitigating cyber threats, advocating for awareness campaigns and urging individuals to promptly report suspicious activities to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC).

Timely reporting enables government agencies to take swift action to protect affected victims' finances.