Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has officially postponed the enforcement of its new Bahasa Malaysia product listing rule for e-commerce platforms.

The regulation, which was supposed to take effect from 24 June 2025, is now on hold until further notice.

What was the rule about?

Under the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations 2024 (CPETTR 2024), all online sellers on major platforms like Shopee and Lazada were required to:

• List product names and descriptions in Bahasa Malaysia (brand names exempt).
• Include full seller details such as business name, address, and contact number.
• Display certified safety approvals for applicable products (e.g. SIRIM-certified electronics).

These rules were meant to standardize product listings and ensure consumer protection. However, sellers who failed to comply faced steep penalties:

• Individuals: Fines up to RM50,000 or up to 3 years of imprisonment.
• Companies: Fines up to RM100,000, with heavier penalties for repeat offences.

Why was it delayed?

The rule sparked concern among online sellers, small businesses, and platform operators. Many argued that the implementation timeline was too short and the translation burden too high.

Some sellers worried it would disrupt product visibility and search accuracy, especially for multilingual or English-preferring consumers.

Groups such as SUPP Youth in Sarawak also voiced objections, calling the sudden rollout impractical for sellers in East Malaysia.

In response, KPDN Director of Enforcement, Datuk Azman Adam, announced that the ministry would delay enforcement and conduct further discussions with stakeholders. No new deadline has been set at this time.

What happens now

KPDN has not cancelled the regulation—only its enforcement timeline has been suspended. This means sellers should still prepare:

• Begin translating product listings to Bahasa Malaysia.
• Make sure seller contact and business details are up to date.
• Ensure certifications are visible for regulated items (e.g. electronics, cosmetics).
• E-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada are reportedly working with the ministry to develop clearer implementation guidelines and support tools for merchants.

Are you an online seller in Malaysia? With the enforcement on hold, now is a good time to prepare your listings without pressure. Will this delay give sellers more time to adjust, or is a clearer policy still needed? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates.