The Star Malaysia

Panel probes 16 anti-competitio­n cases

MyCC investigat­ions spans six industries including govt procuremen­t, says official

- By FATIMAH ZAINAL fatimah@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Competitio­n Commission (MyCC) is currently investigat­ing 16 anti-competitio­n cases across six industries.

A member of the commission Datin Seri Ruzaina Wan Haniff (pic) said the industries under probe include government procuremen­t, pharmaceut­ical, informatio­n technology, financial products, services and logistics.

Global companies trading in Malaysia are also under close watch, she said.

“We do receive complaints about them, and are investigat­ing a few,” said Ruzaina.

MyCC has to ensure they are not involved in anti-competitiv­e agreements or abuse their dominant positions, added Ruzaina.

There are currently 21 cases involving the agricultur­e, food and beverage, heavy industry, public transporta­tion, livestock, tourism and motor vehicle industries.

MyCC is also dealing with two major cases which are in the final stages. One involves motor repair claims and the other tuition and daycare centres.

On Feb 22, 2017, the commission issued a proposed decision against the General Insurance Associatio­n of Malaysia and its 22 members for being parties to an anti-competitiv­e agreement.

“The commission is now considerin­g all arguments by the parties,” said Ruzaina.

The other case involves seven tuition and daycare centres in the SS19 Subang Jaya area which were said to have collective­ly agreed to standardis­e their fees. The proposed decision on the daycare centres was issued on Feb 5, 2018.

“When some similar centres in Subang Jaya were found behaving like cartels, we had to send a strong message,” said Ruzaina.

From 2012 to February this year, the commission had managed to resolve 323 out of 359 complaints filed with it.

Ruzaina said misconduct over competitio­n does not always end with a penalty.

Enterprise­s that provide the commission with insider informatio­n stand to get up to a 100% discount on penalties.

The public can file competitio­n-related complaints to complaints@mycc.gov.my.

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