Malaysia to require e-commerce platforms to register and meet local product standards

Malaysia will tighten oversight of e-commerce platforms by requiring their registration and compliance with local standards on product safety, halal certification, and tax rules, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced today following a Cabinet meeting on August 26, 2026 ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

The move responds to nearly 2,000 complaints received by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from January 1, 2025, to August 25, 2026. The 1,964 complaints covered scams, product safety issues, and concerns over proper certification ^{[6, 1, 3, 4, 5]}. Of these, 1,147 complaints were filed in 2025 and 817 so far in 2026 ^{[6, 5]}.

Among the complaints, authorities identified between 161 and 191 cases involving electrical and electronic product safety issues, as well as 4 cases related to halal certification authenticity ^{[6, 3, 5]}. The government requires electrical products sold online to have SIRIM certification and food products to meet Malaysia’s halal standards, said Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. "Electrical and electronic products must comply with Sirim standards, while products carrying halal status must comply with the halal standards adopted in the country," he said ^[5].

The prime minister instructed the Finance and Communications Ministries to explore regulatory measures, including mandatory registration of e-commerce platforms to ensure compliance with these standards. "The prime minister has therefore instructed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Communications to examine immediate measures to implement regulatory processes, including registration requirements for e-commerce platforms," Fahmi said ^[5].

Some platforms currently operate without local registration or physical presence. The government stressed it aims to protect consumers and not to shut down e-commerce operations. "The government's intention was to protect consumers and not to shut down e-commerce platforms," Fahmi added ^[6].

MCMC plans to engage platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Lazada for consultation sessions, leveraging its regulatory experience with social media platforms. Fahmi confirmed, "We will invite these platforms to engage in discussions and consultation sessions" ^[5].

Complaints have come not only from consumers but also from e-commerce operators and brick-and-mortar traders concerned about fair competition ^{[6, 5]}. The prime minister called for expedited drafting of an e-Commerce Bill to improve ease of doing business while enhancing oversight in the sector ^{[3, 4]}.

Since June 2026, the government introduced new restrictions on teenagers’ access to social media services, indicating further regulatory tightening in digital spaces ^[1]. A week before today, the TikTok Shop Summit raised concerns over regulatory oversight and urged fast-tracking the e-Commerce Bill ^{[3, 4]}.

MCMC currently has 118 cases under active investigation related to e-commerce complaints ^{[3, 4, 5]}. Authorities are expected to announce specific timelines for the e-Commerce Bill drafting and platform registration processes in the coming months.