The Role of MyCC – Watchdog or Enforcer?

The Role of MyCC – Watchdog or Enforcer?

In today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at the Malaysia Competition Commission, or MyCC — the body at the heart of competition regulation in this country. Is it just a policy adviser? Or is it a true market enforcer with teeth? Let’s find out.

The Malaysia Competition Commission was established in 2011, a year after the Competition Act 2010 was passed. It operates as an independent authority under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN). Its creation marked a major milestone in Malaysia’s effort to shift toward a rules-based, transparent market economy. Prior to that, Malaysia lacked a general competition law framework that applied across all sectors. MyCC was formed to fill that gap — not just as an advisory body, but as the primary enforcer of the Competition Act 2010, also known as Act 712.

Under the Competition Commission Act 2010, MyCC has wide-ranging powers. It can conduct investigations, perform market reviews, issue guidelines, and most importantly, it has the authority to issue decisions and impose financial penalties on companies found to be engaging in anti-competitive conduct. It also promotes compliance by educating businesses and the public about competition law. MyCC operates with enforcement authority, but it also has a preventive and educational role — a balance between watchdog and educator.

Over the years, MyCC has made headlines with several high-profile cases that demonstrate its willingness to act. One of the most notable is the RM 242 million fine imposed on chicken feed and poultry companies in 2022 for engaging in price-fixing — one of the highest fines in Malaysian competition law history. This case showed MyCC’s readiness to take on even essential goods industries when consumer welfare is at stake. Another landmark decision involved a bid-rigging cartel of IT companies in government procurement contracts — a reminder that collusion can cost taxpayers and stifle innovation. And just recently, in April 2025, MyCC issued a Proposed Decision against 22 child care providers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, who allegedly agreed to raise prices during an association meeting. That case is still ongoing, but it’s a clear example of how MyCC monitors even small-scale markets that affect everyday consumers.

So, is MyCC just a watchdog? Or an enforcer? The answer is — both. It monitors the market, educates businesses, and steps in when necessary. But with increasing case volume and growing economic complexity, the question now is whether MyCC has enough resources and legal tools to handle what’s ahead. We’ll explore that more in future episodes.

In the next episode, we’ll break down anti-competitive agreements under Section 4 of the Act — what they are, why they’re illegal, and how businesses can avoid falling into that trap.

Thanks for tuning in. If you’re enjoying the series, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a rating. And if you’ve ever spotted suspicious market behavior, now you know — MyCC is the place to report it.