M’sia’s competition law and policy moving in the right direction

The development of competition law and policy in Malaysia is headed in the right direction, says the Malaysia Competition Commission (MYCC).

Chief executive officer Iskandar Ismail said it was heartening to see all sector regulators joining hands together to provide the platform for competition law to be considered in the issuance of any industrial policy by the respective regulators, which, inevitably, will have a positive impact on Malaysia’s economic growth.

“MYCC values the commitment of the respective sectoral regulators to work together in achieving a competitive economic landscape in the interest of both businesses and consumers in Malaysia,” he said in a statement.

A Special Committee on Competition convened on Sept 20, 2022 to serve as a platform for key sectoral regulators in the country to discuss competition-related developments and chart the way forward in facilitating the harmonisation of competition provisions in the respective sectoral legislations for the benefit of the markets.

The committee comprises MYCC, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the Energy Commission (EC), the National Water Services Commission, Bank Negara, the Securities Commission, the Intellectual Property Corp of Malaysia, the Companies Commission of Malaysia and the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom)

According to MYCC, Mavcom shared its two recent merger decisions, namely, the approved merger between Korean Air Lines Co Ltd and Asiana Airlines Inc, as well as the anticipated merger between SIA Engineering Company Ltd and Pos Aviation Engineering Services Sdn Bhd in the ground handling sector in July this year.

On the telecommunications front, MCMC highlighted that it had issued a notice of no objection following the conclusion of its substantive assessment of the proposed merger application between Celcom Axiata Bhd and Digi.com Bhd, wherein parties will now advance to the next phase of the proposed transaction.

“MCMC further highlighted the positive outcomes arising from the joint effort with MYCC since 2020, in addressing exclusivity arrangements between telecommunications service providers and property developers or building management companies in high-rise buildings including residential complexes following complaints from the public.

“Both parties have decided to take this collaboration a step further by exploring the idea to ink a memorandum of understanding that would be beneficial to both parties,” it said.

The EC briefed on its three key priorities in ensuring energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.