Malaysia to Impose Registration Rules on E-Commerce Platforms After 1,964 Complaints

Malaysia will impose mandatory registration and product compliance rules on e-commerce platforms after regulators logged 1,964 consumer complaints over defective items, scams and misleading halal claims.

The regime forces online marketplaces to verify that all electrical appliances meet domestic SIRIM safety benchmarks before listing.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the government will not block or shut down e-commerce operators. The policy instead targets platform accountability, requiring marketplaces to filter out uncertified inventory and fraudulent merchants.

Enforcing standards and registration

Data from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) shows 1,964 platform-related complaints recorded through Aug. 25, with 118 cases still under active investigation. Electrical and electronic products triggered 191 reports, while four complaints involved fraudulent halal certification labels.

Regulators plan to adapt the oversight framework recently rolled out for social media networks to police online shopping portals. This will include platform registration rules designed to hold operators liable for counterfeit goods and non-compliant hardware.

Marketplace liability across Southeast Asia

The policy mirrors a wider regional push to rein in marketplace imports and protect consumer safety. Platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop have faced heightened regulatory scrutiny across Southeast Asian markets over unverified merchant listings and cheap, uncertified cross-border electronics.

MCMC is currently drafting the operational guidelines for the e-commerce framework, with compliance timelines to be announced once agency reviews conclude.