The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, introducing changes to the commission’s functions, governance structure and procurement powers.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the Bill will be presented for its second reading during the current parliamentary sitting.
Among the key proposals is an amendment to Section 45 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998, which would increase the commission’s authority to approve contracts without ministerial and Finance Ministry consent from RM5 million to RM50 million.
The Bill also proposes changes to the commission’s membership by replacing Section 6 to provide for three representatives from the Federal Government.
“One of them shall be the secretary-general of the ministry responsible for communications and multimedia, who shall serve as an ex officio member,” the Bill states.
It also seeks to increase the maximum number of appointed members from five to seven, comprising individuals with expertise in areas including communications, law, economics and consumer protection.
Under Clause 4, the chairman and appointed members will serve a two-year term and may be reappointed, but not for more than five terms whether consecutive or otherwise.
The proposed amendments also expand the commission’s responsibilities to include developing and regulating infrastructure and platform standards to improve interoperability, while overseeing standards related to the security, integrity and resilience of information assets and communications networks.
