The Malaysian government will take immediate steps to regulate and register e-commerce platforms to protect consumers from scams and unsafe products.
PUTRAJAYA: The government will take immediate steps to regulate and require the registration of e-commerce platforms operating in Malaysia following complaints over product safety, halal status and scams.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet had directed the Communications Ministry and Finance Ministry to study and implement immediate regulatory measures, including registration requirements for e-commerce platforms.
He said while some platforms had companies registered and based in Malaysia, others did not have a locally registered company or address.
“Based on the series of complaints and the Cabinet’s directive, the government will begin taking action from today,” he told a press conference today.
Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had received 1,964 complaints related to the sale of products on e-commerce platforms or issues involving the platforms, including scams, from Jan 1, 2025 to yesterday.
Of these, 1,147 complaints were received in 2025, while another 817 were lodged between Jan 1 and Aug 25 this year.
He said 118 complaints remained under MCMC action.
“Among the complaints, 161 were related to electrical or electronic products, while four involved the validity of the halal status of products sold,” he said.
Fahmi said the move was aimed at protecting consumers and did not mean the government intended to shut down e-commerce platforms.
He said electrical and electronic products sold on the platforms must comply with standards set by SIRIM, while products claiming halal status must comply with Malaysia’s halal standards.
Fahmi said the government would engage with e-commerce platforms to discuss the registration and regulatory requirements.
He said the Finance Ministry and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) had their own registration processes, while MCMC would also establish a process for the platforms.
“We will invite these platforms for engagement sessions and discussions,” he said.
Fahmi said MCMC’s previous experience in implementing a licensing framework for social media platforms could also be applied in discussions with e-commerce platforms.
He said the government’s decision followed concerns raised by members of the public, including e-commerce operators and shop owners, over platforms perceived to be insufficiently regulated.
The issue was also raised during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to the TikTok Shop Summit last week, where a member of the audience questioned the regulation of e-commerce platforms.
Fahmi said the government’s priority was to ensure users and buyers remained protected when purchasing products through e-commerce platforms.
