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Perangi kartel boleh ringankan beban poket rakyat

Ahli ekonomi berkata persaingan lebih sihat boleh tingkat kualiti dan beri pengguna lebih banyak pilihan apabila kuasa pemain dominan dikawal.

Perangi kartel boleh ringankan beban poket rakyat

Analysts argue that stronger competition laws can help lower consumer costs and provide more choices by curbing the dominance of large corporations, according to Barjoyai Bardai from Universiti Sains and Technology Malaysia. He stated that cartels typically reduce competition, limit consumer choices, and give certain players control over prices.

A more robust enforcement of the 2010 Competition Act could lead to a more open and competitive market, he added. The amendment to the law, passed by the Dewan Negara on July 27, strengthens the role of the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) in handling market competition issues and dominant player control. MyCC Executive Director Iskandar Ismail said the Act's responsibility is to protect competition in business, including ensuring dominant firms do not abuse their position.

Bardai emphasized that benefits to the public should not be seen only in terms of lower prices, as healthy competition can also increase the value users receive for each ringgit spent. "In the long run, healthy competition increases the 'consumer surplus' as users obtain more value from each ringgit spent," he said. Greater market openness can also create opportunities for more participants, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), competing with large firms, according to Bardai.

More competition can lead to greater innovation and productivity, resulting in better prices and quality. Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff from Putra Business School noted that SME benefits are not solely dependent on competition but require support in terms of access to financing, technology, talent, markets, and openness. He stressed that the success of the legal amendment should be evaluated not just by the fines imposed on firms, but also by whether cartel and anti-competitive practices are reduced, and proceedings and resolutions become more prompt.

Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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