Expedite drafting of new e-commerce law, says Fuziah

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh has called for swift progress in drafting new e-commerce legislation. In a Facebook post, she emphasized the necessity of addressing the limitations in the existing Electronic Commerce Act 2006, particularly focusing on consumer protection and cross-border transactions.

Fuziah stressed that Malaysia's e-commerce framework must adapt to evolving technology and changing business practices. Her remarks come as the government aims to expedite the drafting of the new law to better safeguard consumers and ensure a level playing field for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local traders.

She highlighted the need to protect local businesses from unbalanced competition that could jeopardize their market share and livelihoods. Foreign sellers engaging with Malaysian consumers must adhere to clear standards and regulations to prevent fraud, unsafe products, and disputes. Fuziah also called for the establishment of clear responsibilities for e-commerce platforms, given their growing influence on product marketing, sales, and delivery.

She believes foreign participation in the sector should bring benefits such as investments, job creation, talent development, and technology transfer, while fostering a more robust ecosystem for local enterprises. The Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, recently announced that the government would prioritize the rapid drafting of the e-commerce bill to facilitate and regulate the sector, aligning with the rapid expansion of digital commerce.