Govt to review rules on foreign e-commerce platforms

Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the matter will be examined by the investment, trade and industry and finance ministries through a working committee group to be established. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA: The government will examine how regulations governing foreign products entering the local market are enforced to ensure fair competition and protect local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), says deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof.

He said the matter was discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Empowering the Purchase and Use of Local Products, which he chaired today.

“This matter will be examined by the investment, trade and industry and finance ministries through a working committee to be established.

“The government takes seriously the concerns of local traders, especially MSMEs, about intensifying market competition, including the rapid growth of digital trade and the presence of foreign e-commerce entities,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Fadillah's statement comes after opposition MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said yesterday that foreign e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Pinduoduo should be required to register locally, open an office and appoint local customer service representatives.

The Masjid Tanah MP and Public Accounts Committee chairman said in the Dewan Rakyat that Chinese e-commerce platforms selling goods directly from factories had an unfair advantage over local retailers, who had to pay rent, wages and taxes.

She also called for a review of the 10% sales tax on low-value imported goods costing less than RM500 and stricter safety checks on products shipped directly from abroad.