Anwar calls for fair digital competition to protect MSMEs
The prime minister identified platform commissions, contract restrictions and control of consumer data as potential disadvantages for local businesses.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia needed to address digital platform practices that could place local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at a disadvantage, as part of efforts to ensure fair competition in the digital economy.
In a post on X following a National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN) meeting, Anwar highlighted high commissions, restrictions in contracts and platforms’ control of consumer data as concerns for businesses.
Anwar chaired the council’s third meeting of 2026, which assessed digital economy progress and measures to improve Malaysia’s competitiveness as technology advances. He identified better digital infrastructure, lower government ICT expenditure and a review of findings by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) as priorities.
He said the government sought to attract investment and support growth while giving local businesses fair opportunities. Its efforts also aimed to make everyday transactions easier for the public and spread the benefits of digital development more widely.
Separately, media reports said Budget 2027 emphasised MSME resilience through financing access, cost reductions and more efficient government services. Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong was reported as saying financing facilities for the sector would total RM57 billion, compared with RM50 billion previously.
