What does the MCMC Amendment Bill 2026 change for Malaysians?

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The MCMC Amendment Bill 2026 would expand the commission’s powers, change how its members are appointed, and increase the contract approval limit to RM50 million.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Amendment Bill 2026, tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on July 13, proposes three main changes that can affect Malaysians through how the regulator operates. It would expand the commission’s functions to cover infrastructure and platform standards for interoperability, and also set standards for the security, integrity and resilience of information assets and communications networks. The Bill also revises MCMC’s membership structure and increases the contract value limit the commission can approve without ministerial approval from RM5 million to RM50 million.
The contract approval limit rises from RM5 million to RM50 million
The Bill proposes amending Section 45 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 (Act 589) via Clause 15. It increases the contract value limit that the commission may enter into on its own authority, without needing approval of the Minister and concurrence of the Minister of Finance, from not exceeding RM5 million to not exceeding RM50 million.
MCMC membership is clarified, including an ex officio federal role
The Bill proposes replacing Section 6 through Clause 3 to clarify the commission’s membership composition. It provides for the appointment of three members representing the federal government, with one of them being the secretary-general of the ministry responsible for communications and multimedia as an ex officio member.
The maximum number of other members increases to seven with defined expertise
In addition to the federal government representatives, the amendment increases the maximum number of other members from five to seven. These other members are to be individuals with qualifications, experience and knowledge in relevant fields, including communications, law, economics and consumer protection.
The commission’s functions expand to cover interoperability and network security standards
Clause 7 expands the commission’s functions to include developing and regulating infrastructure and platform standards aimed at promoting interoperability. It also adds the setting of standards for the security, integrity and resilience of information assets and communications networks, which directly ties the regulator’s role to how communications systems are governed. The Bill also sets a two-year term of office for the chairman and appointed members, with reappointment allowed but capped at a maximum of five terms, whether consecutive or not.

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What does the MCMC Amendment Bill 2026 change for Malaysians?

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