No shutdown, but Fahmi says e-commerce platforms to face tighter rules over electrical, halal products

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 26 — The government will take immediate steps to tighten oversight of e-commerce platforms following complaints over products sold online, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said today.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had directed the Finance Ministry and Communications Ministry to examine regulatory measures after receiving complaints from members of the public, e-commerce operators and traders with physical shops.

“There were views expressed regarding several e-commerce platforms which appeared to be insufficiently regulated. These platforms either have issues involving the products being sold, particularly electrical and electronic equipment, or the halal status of products being offered.

“The prime minister has therefore instructed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Communications to examine immediate measures to implement regulatory processes, including registration requirements for e-commerce platforms,” Fahmi said during his weekly post-Cabinet press conference here.

He said some platforms had companies registered and based in Malaysia, while others did not have a locally registered company or address.

Fahmi said the government had no intention of shutting down the platforms but wanted products sold online to comply with Malaysian standards.

“For example, electrical and electronic products must comply with Sirim standards, while products carrying halal status must comply with the halal standards adopted in the country,” he said.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) received 1,964 complaints involving e-commerce platforms and related matters, including scams, from January 1, 2025 to August 25 this year.

Of these, 1,147 complaints were received last year and 817 between January 1 and August 25 this year, with 118 cases still under action by the MCMC.

Fahmi said 161 complaints involved electrical or electronic products, while four concerned the validity of halal status of products sold online.

He said the MCMC would engage e-commerce platforms, drawing on its experience in regulating social media platforms.

“We will invite these platforms to engage in discussions and consultation sessions.

“For the MCMC, the licensing framework previously used for social media platforms has given the MCMC experience in terms of what needs to be done when engaging with platforms. Therefore, similar discussions could perhaps be held with the e-commerce platforms,” he said.