KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) has imposed financial penalties of more than RM570mil on nearly 100 companies involved in cartel activities in the country, the Dewan Negara was told on Tuesday (July 30).

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, in a written reply to Senator Datin Ros Suryati Alang, said the MyCC is also actively investigating 18 cartel cases involving more than 500 enterprises.

"Fourteen out of the 18 cartel cases involved fraudulent bid-rigging in government procurement with a cumulative value exceeding RM3.3bil," it said.

To ensure effective and efficient enforcement, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry said it would table a bill to amend the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712) to introduce a Merger Control Regime, in addition to strengthening the powers and functions of the MyCC in the investigation and enforcement of cartels.

"This regime is one of the early mechanisms proven effective to stop companies from using merger or takeover transactions with their competitors to form a cartel.

"The amendment bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament this October," it said. - Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/30/over-half-a-billion-ringgit-in-fines-imposed-on-companies-involved-in-cartels-says-mycc