Drafting of new E-Commerce Act must be expedited, says Fuziah

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh emphasized the urgency of expediting the drafting of a new E-Commerce Act. This move is crucial to enhancing consumer protection and ensuring local businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local traders, can compete fairly in the evolving digital landscape, according to Dr Fuziah.

She stressed that the country's e-commerce framework must evolve with technological advancements and shifting consumer and business practices.

Dr Fuziah highlighted the necessity of safeguarding MSMEs and local traders. While competitive pricing benefits consumers, there is a risk of uneven competition that could jeopardize local traders' market share and livelihoods in the future. She called for foreign sellers engaging with Malaysian consumers to adhere to clear standards of responsibility and regulatory requirements. This is essential to protect consumers from fraud, unsafe products, and disputes.

Furthermore, Dr Fuziah proposed that the roles of e-commerce platforms should be clearly outlined, as these platforms now significantly influence how products are marketed, sold, and delivered to consumers. She also advocated for foreign participation in the e-commerce sector to create added value for Malaysia through investments, job creation, talent development, and technology transfer.

This participation should also provide local enterprises with more opportunities within the supply chain, rather than being merely about low prices. According to Dr Fuziah, the objective is to foster a healthier ecosystem where local businesses can flourish and compete on equal terms.