{
  "id": 14162832,
  "title": "Foreign e-commerce sellers put local businesses at disadvantage, Dewan Rakyat told",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/foreign-e-commerce-sellers-put-local-businesses-at-disadvantage-dewan",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-13T09:08:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1554542/foreign-e-commerce-sellers-put-local-businesses-disadvantage-dewan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Foreign e-commerce sellers are putting local Malaysian businesses at a disadvantage, according to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the MP for Muda-Muar. He argued that these foreign manufacturers can undercut local businesses due to lower operating costs and fewer regulatory requirements, such as taxes, minimum wage, and social security contributions. Syed Saddiq suggested that Malaysian entrepreneurs are not seeking government handouts or demanding the end of competition but simply want to compete fairly on an equal playing field. He proposed requiring foreign e-commerce operators to establish a local presence or partner with Malaysian businesses, which would also enable authorities to address issues related to defective or unsafe products. Additionally, Syed Saddiq urged the government to expedite the proposed e-commerce legislation to strengthen safeguards for local businesses, such as requiring platforms to provide advance notice before increasing fees and consulting affected sellers. He highlighted the impact of rising charges from major e-commerce platforms, like TikTok and Shopee, which have recently increased commission rates and other fees with little advance notice. Syed Saddiq stressed that these sudden fee hikes could severely affect small businesses operating with thin profit margins. He likened the situation to a \"sandwich generation\" problem for young entrepreneurs, who are being squeezed between cheap foreign competition and rising platform charges. Syed Saddiq warned that if these pressures are not addressed, more small businesses may close despite the improving economic indicators.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Overseas manufacturers selling cheap goods directly to Malaysian consumers through e-commerce platforms are putting local businesses at a disadvantage, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Foreign e-commerce sellers undercut local Malaysian businesses.",
    "Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman argues for fair competition.",
    "Government urged to expedite e-commerce legislation for protection."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}