NST Leader: E-commerce's RM161.8bil question: Who protects the buyer?
HERE’S a picture of the Malaysian e-commerce landscape: so huge and impactful, and a little shadowy, that the government is forced to regulate the platforms servicing 26 million customers.
The Malaysian e-commerce market, valued at RM161.8 billion this year, is expanding rapidly, but consumer protection remains a challenge. With 26 million customers, the industry is growing faster than the government's 2006 e-commerce legislation can keep up. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has received 1,964 complaints about e-commerce platforms since January, mostly concerning defective goods and scams.
The government struggles to regulate the vast and complex landscape without stifling innovation. While enforcement relies on platform compliance and economic sanctions, foreign players with significant resources might exploit regulatory gaps. The goal is clear: protect consumers through accurate labeling, safety, and legitimate avenues for dispute resolution.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
