KUALA LUMPUR – Corporate insiders and whistleblowers who expose illegal cartel activities and bid-rigging schemes are set to receive robust legal protection and direct cash rewards under upcoming legislative amendments.
The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) announced the major policy shift following proposed amendments to the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712) and the Competition Commission Act 2010 (Act 713).
MyCC chief executive officer Datuk Iskandar Ismail emphasized that stronger protection is critical to breaking the secrecy surrounding corporate cartels, which operate strictly behind closed doors and rely heavily on internal informants or vigilant consumers to expose.
“Previously, protection did exist, but it was insufficient. Now we are further enhancing the protection in addition to providing rewards,” Iskandar revealed.
He acknowledged that the lack of financial compensation previously discouraged potential informants from risking their livelihoods.
“There were complainants who came forward to provide information previously, but when no reward was given, they left,” he said, pointing out that insiders risked immediate termination for disclosing confidential company files.
“The complainant said that they were risking themselves to come to MyCC, yet no compensation would be given to them should they lose their job for leaking company secrets,” Iskandar added.
Once the amendments are formally gazetted later this year, MyCC will enforce a comprehensive protection framework for anyone willing to step forward.
“Now that there is protection, when we enforce these (amendments) this year, it will be easy for everyone, especially consumers, to make complaints,” Iskandar said, adding that MyCC will also run monthly advocacy programs to educate the public.
To make reporting seamless, MyCC is encouraging individuals and business entities with evidence of cartel activity to lodge reports via multiple dedicated channels, including WhatsApp.
The legislative overhaul will also expand MyCC’s mandate under Section 11 of Act 712, empowering the regulator to conduct deep-dive market studies on high-impact sectors affecting everyday Malaysians—specifically targeting the digital economy and e-commerce spaces.
Furthermore, enhanced cross-border cooperation with international competition enforcement agencies will enable MyCC to track global data and shield Malaysia’s domestic market from anti-competitive practices by multinational corporations. – September 29, 2026