Malaysia: Entry into force with grace period of Communications and Multimedia Act (Act 588) including anti-competitive agreements regulation

On 1 April 1999, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) entered into force including anti-competitive agreements regulation. The Act is applicable to any licensee under the Act and any person who provides relevant facilities or services under the Act. The Act mandates that no licensee shall engage in any conduct that would substantially lessen the competition in a communications market. Further, the Act prohibits a licensee from entering into any agreement concerning rate fixing, market sharing, or boycotting a supplier or another competitor.