KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed E-Commerce Bill will include ways to curb predatory pricing by sellers overseas via online platforms, says Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fuziah Salleh.
She said the government was concerned about goods brought into the country through online platforms at extremely low prices, which could hurt local businesses.
“The main concern, and one that has drawn many complaints, is predatory pricing — prices that are so low that they can kill local industries,” she told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 22).
Fuziah was responding to Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, who asked whether the proposed law would protect local businesses facing competition from online platforms selling goods directly from countries such as China.
Afnan said local traders had complained that there was no proper mechanism to regulate such platforms, which could offer goods directly to Malaysian consumers.
Fuziah said the government had examined the issue in detail.
“We will also look at whether this can be included in the Bill that we will bring forward,” she said.
Earlier, responding to a question by Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman on ticket scalping and bulk purchases through e-commerce platforms, Fuziah said the E-Commerce Bill was expected to be tabled during the first meeting of the first sitting next year.
She said the government would consider issues raised on the responsibility of digital platforms for profiteering activities within their ecosystems.
