CYBERJAYA: The enforcement division of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) should be upgraded as a department in line with its growing role and responsibilities, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said enforcement capabilities need to be strengthened, given that the current challenges not only involve field operations but also the more complex, harder-to-detect digital space.
“If you ask me, it is time for this enforcement division to move up a level to become a department because its role is no longer small.
“So when the task becomes more challenging... the responsibility becomes greater, as such the strength of the team must also be on par. I hope the Public Services Department (PSD) can look into this matter as well.”
He said this at the 54th KPDN Enforcement Day Celebration and the launch of the National Consumer Policy 2.0 here yesterday.
Also present were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, deputy minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Sayuthi Bakar and director-general (enforcement) Datuk Azman Adam.
Ahmad Zahid added that he will support the proposal and asked Armizan to bring the matter to the Cabinet meeting while also urging the ministry’s secretary-general to discuss it with the PSD immediately.
Separately, Ahmad Zahid proposed a more comprehensive framework to cater to the fast-growing digital market, adding that a dedicated law to regulate the digital marketplace will help keep pace with the rapid growth of online trade.
“We cannot allow the digital market to move faster than the rules that govern it.
“I would like to propose we strengthen existing laws and consider a more comprehensive framework, including a specific Act for the digital market,” he said.
The effort to strengthen the legislation is seen as a step forward in building a consumer ecosystem that is more trusted by the public and in increasing trust in the digital market, he added.
He also stressed that the success of a policy is not measured solely by planning, but rather by the actual impact on consumers, including the need to expand consumer and digital literacy so that society is better prepared to face the risks of the online environment.
Meanwhile, Armizan said the ministry is studying a proposal to upgrade its enforcement division to a department to strengthen enforcement capabilities and optimise enforcement functions across ministries.
He said the proposal for empowerment had been discussed at the Cabinet level, which, among others, recognised the need to increase the capacity and capability of KPDN’s enforcement in line with current challenges.
“The government sees no need to create enforcement units in all ministries; certain enforcement functions could be coordinated and implemented by the KPDN’s enforcement division,” he said.
Armizan added that this approach could, among other things, increase operational efficiency and optimise the use of human resources in the public sector.
He also said that they are conducting a study with the PSD to examine the proposal.
“This improvement is important because it will be among the core of the enforcement team, in line with the government’s plan to enact new laws or amend the existing Electronic Commerce Act.”
