Dewan Rakyat passes MCMC Amendment Bill 2026 to strengthen regulatory role in Malaysia’s communications and multimedia industry
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 to ensure the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) remains sustainable in regulating and developing Malaysia’s communications and multimedia industry.
The Bill was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 14 Members of Parliament from both the government and opposition blocs.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the appointment of the MCMC chairman and its members by the minister is based on statutory body criteria, including qualifications, integrity, experience and the ability to lead and steer the commission.
“The existing provision since 1998 has allowed the minister to appoint the chairman and other members of the commission,” she said in winding up the debate on the Bill.
She explained that the amendment requiring the chairman not to be a member of any legislative body was intended to avoid political conflicts of interest.
On the proposed increase in MCMC’s financial limit for contracts from RM5 million to RM50 million, Teo said the move was in line with the Procurement Regulations for Federal Statutory Bodies WP7.5 issued by the Finance Ministry on the use of funds by statutory bodies.
“Under the regulations, federal statutory bodies that are fully funded through internal funds may approve procurements of up to RM499 million.
“However, the ministry is of the view that it is appropriate to increase the limit only to RM50 million, considering that it has never been revised since 1998,” she said.
She said the increase also took into account the rising value of MCMC contracts due to various factors, including inflation, technological advancements, and higher material and labour costs.
Earlier during the debate, Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) urged the government to strengthen MCMC’s independence from political interference by introducing a more transparent appointment process for commissioners and ensuring that all ministerial directions are recorded and tabled in Parliament
She also proposed that the government adopt an appointment mechanism similar to that used for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), with members selected through a more open process based on expertise, experience and credibility, rather than being determined solely by the minister.
Meanwhile, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) urged the government to strengthen checks and balances, particularly in relation to the use of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund, the commission’s audit powers and the transparency of ministerial directions.
She also proposed that reports on the utilisation of the fund be tabled periodically.
Dr Richard Rapu (GPS-Betong) said the amendments to Act 589 not only strengthened MCMC’s institutional structure but also laid the foundation for a more professional, independent and future-ready regulatory body capable of meeting the challenges of the digital economy.
