KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Tasek Gelugor-PN) today questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s understanding of the country’s laws pertaining to monopolistic practices, but was quickly put in his place by a deputy minister.
It began when Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh explained the definition of monopoly in the Dewan Rakyat, noting that many MPs seem to have misunderstood its meaning.
Fuziah said monopoly is a situation where there is only a single player existing in a particular industry, before noting that this, in itself, does not violate the law as Malaysia lacks any anti-monopoly provisions.
However, she explained that a monopoly becomes an offence when a player abuses its position to dominate the industry.
Later, Wan Saiful expressed his bemusement over Anwar’s constant harping against monopolies in certain industries, asking why this is the case if the practice is not illegal.
“The (deputy) minister said monopoly doesn’t violate the law. Then why is the prime minister attacking monopoly every day?” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Does the prime minister not know about the law and attack something that isn’t wrong?
“Perhaps the minister can explain this to him.”
In response, Fuziah said Wan Saiful must have missed the part in her earlier explanation which states that a monopoly is an offence if a player abuses its dominant position.
Since being appointed the prime minister, Anwar has made eliminating monopolistic practices in the country where possible, one of his and his government’s goals.
Among others, Anwar had requested that Padiberas Nasional Bhd, which has exclusive import rights for rice, give some of its earnings to small paddy farmers.
The prime minister had said that his administration would no longer allow such a monopoly by certain figures who prey on small-time players.
More recently, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that Puspakom will no longer exclusively provide vehicle inspection services once its concession ends on August 31 next year. The government plans to allow other qualified service providers to offer such a service as an effort to promote a competitive industry. – The Vibes, March 28, 2023
