CCOB task force invites feedback on proposed enactment of Consumer Credit Act

KUALA LUMPUR: The Consumer Credit Oversight Board (CCOB) Task Force is seeking feedback on the proposed regulatory and authorisation framework, as well as areas that will be addressed in the legislation to promote high standards of professionalism and fair conduct of credit providers and credit service providers.

This will be followed by Part 2 of the consultation paper, targeted to be issued in the fourth quarter of this year, which will provide further details on authorisation, governance and conduct requirements that will be applied to credit providers and credit service providers.

In a joint statement today, the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bank Negara Malaysia said the government is working on the formulation of a Consumer Credit Act (CCA), with the aim of strengthening protection for credit consumers in Malaysia.

They noted that the CCA will pave the way for the establishment of the CCOB as an independent competent authority to oversee consumer credit providers and credit service providers.

"The CCA seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for regulating the conduct of entities carrying out the business of providing credit or credit services to such consumers, with an immediate focus on those that are not currently subject to direct regulation by any authority.

"This includes the regulation of new forms of credit such as ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ providers,” they shared.

The regulators said the public consultation is the first of a two-part consultation, whereby it provides an overview of the current landscape of the consumer credit industry in Malaysia, its challenges and proposed reforms to better protect individuals and small businesses in their dealings with credit providers and credit service providers.

The reforms will be implemented in phases under a proposed multi-year programme to deliver consistent standards of protection for credit consumers and support the orderly development of the credit industry in Malaysia, they noted.

The public consultation paper is available for download from CCOB’s website (www.ccob.my). This website serves as a one-stop reference point for all stakeholders seeking information and updates related to CCA and CCOB.

Interested parties and members of the public are invited to provide feedback and comments on the consultation paper to CCOB Task Force by Sept 5, 2022 by emailing to [e-mail], the SC and BNM added.

The CCOB Task Force was set up in July 2021 and led by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), BNM and the SC to drive the enactment of the CCA.

This effort is in collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP) and the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM). - Bernama