In 2020, MyCC imposed a total financial penalty of RM173 million against the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) and its 23 members for alleged price-fixing of trade discounts on automotive parts prices and hourly labour rates for motor vehicle repairs by workshops under the PIAM Approved Repairers Scheme in breach of the Competition Act 2010. PIAM and the general insurers appealed to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). In September 2022, the CAT found that there was no liability on the part of the general insurers and PIAM under the Malaysian Competition Act and unanimously overturned MyCC’s decision.

Our team of over 300 antitrust experts around the world have collaborated to produce a truly innovative Global Merger Analysis Platform (GMAP). GMAP answers 90 detailed questions on merger control law in 120 jurisdictions. It is updated in real time, offering more depth and more legal certainty than existing products in the market.

On 25 April 2022, the Malaysia Competition Commission launched an online public consultation on proposed amendments to the Malaysian Competition Act 2010. Key amendments include (i) introduction of a merger control regime; and (ii) amendments to increase MyCC’s investigation and enforcement powers and enhance its procedures.

The revised draft Cyber Security Law released by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) on 13 January 2022 (“Draft Law 2.0”) sets out certain requirements on a digital platform service provider (DPSP). Failure to comply with the requirements could result in a fine, suspension of the relevant digital platform service (DPS) or revocation of any existing license held by the DPSP. Additionally, the MOTC may act in the public interest and shut down any DPS in Myanmar. These provisions under the Draft Law 2.0, if enacted, may have a material impact on international digital platform operators with a substantial user base in Myanmar.

The revised draft Cyber Security Law released by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on 13 January 2022 appears to impose a broad prohibition on the use of virtual private networks in Myanmar unless specific permission is granted by the MOTC. The Draft Law 2.0 does not distinguish the use of VPN between consumers and businesses; any person found guilty of the offense shall be punishable by imprisonment of a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years or a fine not exceeding MMK 5 million (approximately USD 2,500) or both.

Cross-border lending in Asia Pacific continues to grow steadily despite external factors such as COVID-19. While the region is not immune to external factors, borrowing volumes for financial institutions, credit funds and other market participants remain high in Asia Pacific. Considering the demographics of many of the nations, the various financial centers and many market participants investing more substantially in some of those financial centers, we remain optimistic that lending activity across Asia Pacific will continue to grow.

In December 2019, Myanmar’s first Anti-dumping Law (“ADL“) was passed by the Assembly of the Union of Myanmar (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw), marking the introduction of a legal framework for the imposition of anti-dumping measures in Myanmar for the first time. Although Myanmar has been a member of the World Trade Organization (“WTO“) since 1995, Myanmar did not have a national anti-dumping law until the passing of the ADL. The new legislation is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2021.

The Malaysia Competition Commission has initiated the process of amending the Competition Act 2010 to introduce merger control regulations and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is planning to table the legislative amendments to the Act by the end of 2021. Once in force, mergers and acquisitions which exceed certain thresholds will need to be reviewed and approved by the MyCC.

Our team of over 300 antitrust experts around the world have collaborated to produce a truly innovative Global Merger Analysis Platform (GMAP). GMAP answers 90 detailed questions on merger control law in 120 jurisdictions. It is updated in real time, offering more depth and more legal certainty than existing products…