Malaysia's prime minister calls for fair digital market rules to protect MSMEs
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia's digital economy must be built on fair competition, targeting platform fees and contract terms that hurt micro, small and medium enterprises.
At a summit of the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed that Malaysia's digital sector should operate on a level playing field, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises. He pointed to practices such as steep platform commissions, limiting contract clauses and control over consumer data that could disadvantage local businesses. Anwar called for improvements in digital infrastructure, reductions in public ICT spending, and a review of the Malaysia Competition Commission's assessment of competition in the digital ecosystem.
The administration seeks to ensure that digital growth not only attracts investment but also offers equitable opportunities and easier daily transactions for the public. Budget 2027 is set to reinforce MSME resilience by expanding financing facilities to RM57 billion, up from RM50 billion. These measures aim to spread the advantages of digital development more widely across the economy.
Why it matters
Ensuring fair digital rules helps Malaysia's small businesses compete and benefit from the country's growing online economy.
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