Malaysia to tighten rules on e‑commerce platforms

The government received 1,964 complaints involving e-commerce platforms.

Malaysia will introduce new regulatory measures on e-commerce platforms, including registration requirements, following concerns over product safety, halal claims and scams.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the government is not seeking to shut down or restrict e-commerce platforms, but will require products sold online to comply with existing standards.

Electrical and electronic products, for instance, must meet SIRIM standards, whilst products carrying halal claims must comply with Malaysia’s halal requirements.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) received 1,964 complaints involving e-commerce platforms from 1 January 2025 to 25 August.

Of these, 1,147 were recorded in 2025 and 817 between 1 January and 25 August this year, with 118 complaints still under investigation.

Electrical and electronic products accounted for 191 complaints, whilst four concerned the authenticity of halal claims.

The government will draw on MCMC’s experience regulating social media platforms as it develops the approach for e-commerce operators.