KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, with proposed changes aimed at expanding the commission’s responsibilities, revising its membership structure and increasing the value of contracts it can approve independently.
The Bill seeks to raise the contract value limit that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) can enter into without approval from the minister and concurrence of the Finance Ministry from RM5 million to RM50 million, Bernama reported.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the Bill would be tabled for its second reading during the current parliamentary sitting.
According to the Bill’s text published on Parliament’s official portal, Clause 15 proposes amendments to Section 45 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 (Act 589), allowing the commission greater authority in approving contracts.
“The contract value limit that may be entered into by the commission without the need to obtain the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Minister of Finance is proposed to be increased from not exceeding RM5 million to not exceeding RM50 million.”
The Bill also proposes amendments to Section 6 through Clause 3 to redefine the composition of the commission’s membership by providing for the appointment of three federal government representatives.
“One of them shall be the secretary-general of the ministry responsible for communications and multimedia, who shall serve as an ex officio member,” the Bill states.
The proposed amendments would also increase the maximum number of appointed members from five to seven, comprising individuals with relevant expertise and experience in fields including communications, law, economics and consumer protection.
Clause 4 further stipulates that the chairman and appointed members will serve a two-year term, with eligibility for reappointment. However, they will be limited to a maximum of five terms, whether served consecutively or otherwise.
Meanwhile, Clause 7 expands MCMC’s functions to include the development and regulation of infrastructure and platform standards to encourage interoperability, as well as setting standards for the security, integrity and resilience of information assets and communications networks. – July 13, 2026