Malaysia Strengthens Protection for Local Industries with Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Amendment Bill

Strategic Insights -

The Malaysian Senate has passed the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025, a move aimed at safeguarding local industries from unfair trade practices by foreign countries. Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong tabled the bill for its second and third reading, highlighting the need for stronger protection against dumped goods sold cheaper in Malaysia than in their countries of origin. According to Liew, the amendments aim to address the issue of dumping, where countries sell their products at lower prices in Malaysia, harming local producers. The bill also targets imports that are unfairly subsidized by producing countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to strengthen protection for local industries from unfair trade practices by foreign countries.
  • The bill targets the dumping of conventional products sold cheaper in Malaysia than in their countries of origin and unfairly subsidized imports.
  • Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong highlighted the importance of amending the law to facilitate investigations and action against unfair trade practices.
  • The government has launched the Trade Remedy Investigation Management (TRIMA) system to facilitate investigations and help local manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
  • The TRIMA system requires local industries to fill out a questionnaire and submit evidence digitally, with no costs imposed on local industries.
  • The government provides technical advisory and guidance services to help SMEs and downstream industries understand anti-dumping and countervailing measures.
  • The issue of dumping through e-commerce is addressed through taxation policies and cooperation with relevant agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

Statistics:

  • The bill targets the dumping of conventional products sold cheaper in Malaysia than in their countries of origin.
  • Imports that are unfairly subsidized by producing countries and sold in Malaysia at lower prices will be addressed.
  • 5 senators participated in the debate on the bill in the Dewan Negara.
  • The government does not impose any costs on local industries in implementing anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations.
  • The Trade Remedy Investigation Management (TRIMA) system has been launched to facilitate the process of submitting petitions by local manufacturers.
  • The TRIMA system requires local industries to fill out a questionnaire and submit evidence digitally.

Sources:

  • The Malaysian Senate
  • Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong
  • The Dewan Negara
  • Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI)
  • Royal Malaysian Customs Department
  • Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living
  • Ministry of Finance