The Dewan Rakyat has passed two key laws, the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Malaysia Competition Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at strengthening enforcement against anti-competitive practices and enhancing the powers and structure of the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC).
The Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed by majority voice vote after a minor technical amendment was made at committee stage to correct a typographical error in Clause 22, as tabled by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The 34-clause bill strengthens Malaysia’s competition framework by tightening enforcement against cartel activities and abuse of dominant market positions, particularly in response to the growing use of technology in anti-competitive conduct.
A key provision introduces a criminal offence for attempts to destroy, conceal or alter records and data to obstruct investigations by MyCC, signalling tougher penalties for interference with regulatory probes.
In a separate but related move, the Malaysia Competition Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 was also tabled for second reading to streamline and enhance the administrative structure and functions of MyCC.
Armizan said the amendments are intended to improve operational efficiency and enforcement effectiveness rather than expand powers without limit, in view of increasingly complex investigative challenges.
The reforms include renaming the Competition Commission as the MyCC, aligning it with other federal statutory bodies, as well as clarifying its advisory role to the government and regulatory agencies on competition policy.
The bill also empowers MyCC to impose financial penalties, late payment charges and administrative fees, while introducing provisions for delegation of certain functions to its chairman, officers and employees under defined conditions.
Other changes cover appointment procedures for investigating officers, expanded confidentiality provisions, and transitional arrangements linked to the commission’s rebranding and structural updates.
Armizan said the original Competition Act, which came into force in 2011, established MyCC as the national enforcement body for competition law, and the latest amendments are designed to ensure it remains effective amid evolving market and technological complexities.
