Govt to review registration, regulatory process for e-commerce platforms

The Malaysian government plans to review the registration and regulatory processes for e-commerce platforms, according to a statement from government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil. This decision comes after the communications and finance ministries received numerous complaints about the platforms, with Finance Minister Fadzil revealing that 1,964 complaints were lodged between January 2025 and August 25 this year.

Fahmi explained that the concerns were primarily about the lack of regulation and the products being sold, including whether they met halal certification standards. The Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, directed the two ministries to explore immediate actions that could be taken to address these issues, he added.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has received 1,964 complaints related to e-commerce platforms and products between January 2025 and August 25 this year. Of the complaints, 161 involved electrical and electronic products, and four were related to the halal status of products. However, the government's intention is not to shut down e-commerce platforms, but to ensure that products sold online comply with Malaysian standards, such as Sirim requirements for electrical and electronic products and halal certification for products claiming to be halal-certified.