KUALA LUMPUR — Amendments to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act 1998 (Act 589) aim to revise the composition of the commission, including to separate the roles chairman and chief executive officer.
The bill seeks to introduce a new Section 14(a) to the Act, providing for the termination of the chairman’s appointment if they are absent from duty, not in Malaysia, or unable to perform their duties for six consecutive months without the Minister’s approval.
The bill was tabled by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, with the second reading scheduled for the same parliamentary meeting.
According to the bill circulated in Parliament, an amendment to Section 6 regarding the composition of MCMC’s membership, proposes three members representing the federal government, one of whom will be the Secretary-General of the ministry responsible for communications and multimedia.
The maximum number of members is proposed to be increased from five to seven.
The bill also suggests that other appointed members must have experience and knowledge in fields such as communications and multimedia, finance, engineering, commerce, law, economics and public administration.
Another proposal prohibits appointed members from being MCMC employees.
It is also proposed that MCMC’s functions be expanded, to include developing and regulating standards for infrastructure, security, safety protection, auditing licensees’ information, and overseeing licensee activities. – December 2, 2024