cOMMunIcAtIOnS And MuLtIMedIA Act 1998

date of Royal assent ... … … … ... 3 september 998 date of publication in the Gazette … … 5 october 998

Previous rePrint

First Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2002

LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 588

cOMMunIcAtIOnS And MuLtIMedIA Act 1998

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

PRELIMINARY

section . short title . Commencement

1. objects
2. territorial and extra-territorial application
3. power of the minister to exclude certain persons, geographical areas, etc.
4. interpretation

PART II

ministeRial poweRs and pRoCeduRes

Chapter 

Ministerial Direction

1. direction by the minister
2. variation of a direction
3. Register of directions

Chapter 

Ministerial Determination

0. determination by the minister

section
. variation of a determination

. Register of determinations

Chapter 3

Ministerial Declaration

3. declaration by the minister
4. modification, variation or revocation of a declaration
5. Register of declarations

Chapter 4

Ministerial Regulations

6. minister’s power to make regulations

PART iii

appeal tRibunal

7. establishment of the appeal tribunal
8. matters which the appeal tribunal may review
9. Qualifications of members
0. Resignation and termination of an appointment
. vacation of office and acting appointments
. Quorum for the appeal tribunal
3. decision
23A. enforcement of decision of appeal tribunal
4. appeal tribunal procedures
24A. powers of appeal tribunal
5. suspension of member
6. disclosure of interest
26A. secretary of appeal tribunal and other officers
26b. obligation of secrecy
26C. public servants and public officers
26d. application of public authorities protection act 948
26E. act or omission done in good faith

PART iv

liCenCes

Chapter 

Individual Licence

section 7. application for an individual licence 8. further information 9. Recommendation by the Commission

30. Grant of an individual licence
3. Restriction on the grant of an individual licence
3. Compliance with the conditions of an individual licence

1. modification, variation or revocation of individual licence conditions
2. Renewal of an individual licence
3. surrender of an individual licence
4. transfer of an individual licence or change of ownership
5. Recommendation for the suspension or cancellation of an individual licence
6. suspension or cancellation of an individual licence by the minister
7. effective date of suspension or cancellation of an individual licence
8. publication on suspension or cancellation of an individual licence 4. effect of suspension, cancellation, surrender or expiry of an individual

licence
4. Register of individual licences

43. Rights and obligations attached to an individual licence

Chapter 

Class Licence

1. minister may grant class licence
2. application for registration
3. Requirement for registration
4. Recommendation by the Commission
5. Cancellation of registration by the minister
6. Register of class licences
7. Register of registration notices

PART v

poweRs and pRoCeduRes of the malaysianCommuniCations and multimedia Commission

Chapter 

Directions

section 5. directions by the Commission 5. modification, variation or revocation of a direction by the Commission

1. offence for non-compliance with a direction of the Commission
2. Register of directions

Chapter 

Determination

1. determination by the Commission
2. modification, variation or revocation of a determination by the Commission
3. Register of determinations

Chapter 3

Inquiry

1. inquiry by the Commission
2. Combining two or more inquiries
3. Conduct of an inquiry
   6. inquiry shall be public
   6. exceptions to a public inquiry
   

1. Confidential material not to be disclosed
2. directions about an inquiry
3. Report on an inquiry
4. protection from civil action
5. Register of reports

Chapter 4

Investigation for Purposes of Administration, Inquiry, etc.

section

1. investigation by the Commission
2. Complaints to the Commission
3. Conduct of investigation
   7. Report on investigation
   7. publication of reports
   

Chapter 5

Information-gathering Powers

1. provision of information
2. offence for non-compliance
3. offence for giving false or misleading information, evidence or document,

etc.

1. proof of compliance
2. Commission may retain documents
3. incorrect record
4. Record of information
5. publication of information

Chapter 6

Register

8. Register of all matters

Chapter 7

Notification and Resolution of Disputes

8. disputes

1. notification of a dispute
2. Commission to act only upon notification
3. Commission may publish guidelines
4. Commission to decide notified dispute

section

1. decision to be in writing
2. Register of decisions
3. enforcement

Chapter 8

Registration of Agreements

90. application for the registration of agreements
9. when the Commission shall register the agreement
9. effect of registration

93. Content of the register of agreements

Chapter 9

Voluntary Industry Codes

1. industry forum
2. Code by the industry forum
3. Commission may determine a voluntary industry code
4. applicable voluntary industry code
5. Compliance with a registered voluntary industry code a legal defence
6. directions to comply with a registered voluntary industry code
   00. Civil penalty for non-compliance
   0. Revocation of a code
   0. submission of new voluntary industry code by an industry forum
   03. Register of current voluntary industry code
   

Chapter 0

Mandatory Standards

04. determination of a mandatory standard
05. mandatory standard to be consistent
06. modification, variation or revocation of a mandatory standard
07. mandatory standard to take precedence
08. Compliance with a mandatory standard a legal defence
09. Civil penalty for non-compliance

Chapter 

Undertakings

section 0. undertaking by a person . Registration of an undertaking . Rules regarding undertakings 3. withdrawal of an undertaking 4. Replacement of an undertaking 5. Register of undertakings 6. enforcement of an undertaking

Chapter 

Regulatory Forbearance

7. Regulatory forbearance
8. determination by the minister

Chapter 3

Review of Decisions

9. Review by the Commission
0. Review by the appeal tribunal
. Judicial review

Chapter 4

Regulatory Review

. Review of subsidiary legislation by the Commission

Chapter 5

Monitoring and Reporting

3. Report to the minister on industry performance
4. matters to monitor and report
5. Report to be published

PART vi

eConomiC ReGulation

Chapter 

Licensing

section

6. licensing of network facilities, network services and applications services

7. Compliance with licence conditions

8. definition of network boundary

9. exemption for applications service provider not subject to a class licence

30. nominated facilities provider

3. providers under a class licence shall register

3. separate licence

Chapter 

General Competition Practices

33. prohibition on anticompetitive conduct
34. Commission may publish guidelines
35. prohibition on entering into collusive agreements
36. prohibition on tying or linking arrangements
37. determination of dominant licensee
38. Guidelines as to the meaning of “dominant position”
39. Commission may direct a licensee in a dominant position
40. authorization of a conduct
4. Register of authorizations
4. Remedies for non-compliance
43. penalty for offence
44. minister may make rules

Chapter 3

Access to Services

45. facilities and services which may be included in the access list section 46. determination of facilities and services by the Commission 47. Recommendation by access forum 48. Register of access list 49. standard access obligations for facilities and services 50. Registration of access agreements 5. notification of access disputes 5. access forum 53. access code 54. Registration of the access code 55. industry access undertakings 56. Registration of an undertaking

PART vii

teChniCal ReGulation

Chapter 

Spectrum Assignment

57. prohibition on using spectrum without assignment 58. power of the minister to make regulations 59. issue of spectrum assignment 60. spectrum assignment to comply with spectrum plan 6. Reissue of spectrum assignment 6. third party transfers 63. transfer rules 64. issue of apparatus assignment 65. apparatus assignment to comply with spectrum plan 66. situation where apparatus assignment shall not be issued 67. third party authorization 68. maximum term for an apparatus assignment 69. Class assignment 70. Class assignment to comply with spectrum plan 7. situation where class assignment shall not be issued 7. spectrum plan

section 73. Contents of spectrum plan 74. preferential rights 75. dispute about interference 76. minister may determine spectrum for spectrum assignment 77. spectrum plan to include procedures for spectrum assignment and apparatus assignment 78. Compulsory acquisition of assignments in determined spectrum

Chapter 

Numbering and Electronic Addressing

79. Control, planning and administration of numbering and electronic addressing

80. numbering and electronic addressing plan

8. management or maintenance of an integrated public number or electronic address database

Chapter 3

Technical Standards

8. hindering interoperability an offence
83. Compromising public safety an offence
84. technical standards forum
85. matters for technical code
86. Certifying agencies

PART viii

ConsumeR pRoteCtion

Chapter 

Quality of Service

87. exemption from offence provisions
88. provision of network service or applications service

section 89. Consumer forum 90. matters for consumer code 9. publication of consumer code

Chapter 

Required Applications Services

9. Required applications services 93. minister’s direction to provide required applications services 94. direction may specify operational details

Chapter 3

Resolution of Consumer Disputes

95. disputes between consumers and licensees 96. procedures for consumer complaints

Chapter 4

Rate Regulation

97. Rate setting by providers 98. principles on rate setting 99. Rate setting by the minister 00. power of the minister to determine persons or areas for special rates 0. Rules regarding rates

Chapter 5

Universal Service Provision

0. system of universal service provision 03. definition of “underserved areas” and “underserved groups within the community”, etc. 04. universal service provision fund

PART iX

soCial ReGulation

Chapter 

Licensing

section 05. prohibition on the provision of content applications service 06. Compliance with licence conditions 07. Closed content applications service 08. exemptions for incidental content 09. limited content applications service 0. opinion on category of service

Chapter 

Content Requirements

. prohibition on provision of offensive content . Content forum 3. Content code

PART X
GeneRal
Chapter 

Installation of Network Facilities, Access to Network Facilities, etc.

4. inspection of land 5. installation of network facilities 6. minimal damage 7. network facilities provider to restore land 8. management of activity 9. agreement with public utility 0. Conditions to which a network facilities installation permit is subject . notice to owner of land . notice to owner of land for lopping of trees, etc. 3. notice to road authority, public utility, etc.

section

4. Road, etc., to remain open for passage

5. network facilities installation permit

6. Criteria for issue of network facilities installation permit

7. network facilities installation permit has effect subject to this act and other laws

8. access to post, network facilities or right-of-way

9. Commission to regulate matters on access to post, etc.

30. minister may make regulations

Chapter 

Additional Offences and Penalties

3. offence if use apparatus or device without authority 3. fraudulent use of network facilities, network services, etc. 33. improper use of network facilities or network service, etc. 34. interception and disclosure of communications prohibited 35. damage to network facilities, etc. 36. fraud and related activity in connection with access devices, etc. 37. prohibition on call back service 38. emission from non-standard equipment or device 39. unlawful use, possession or supply of non-standard equipment or

device 40. offence for distributing or advertising any communications equipment

or device for interception of communication

4. offence for giving false and misleading statement

4. General offence and penalty

43. Compounding of offences

44. offences by body corporate

Chapter 3

Powers of Entry, Investigation into Offences and Prosecution

45. authorized officer 46. power to investigate 47. search by warrant

section

48. search and seizure without warrant

49. access to computerized data

50. list of things seized

5. Release of things seized

5. power to intercept communications

53. obstruction to search

54. additional powers

55. power to require attendance of person acquainted with case

56. examination of person acquainted with case

57. admissibility of statements in evidence

58. authorized officer to complete investigation and hand over to police

59. prosecution

60. forfeiture

6. Jurisdiction to try offences

6. Rewards

Chapter 4

National Interest Matters

63. General duty of licensees
64. persons not liable for act done in good faith
65. network interception capability
66. special powers in emergency
67. disaster plan

Chapter 5

Miscellaneous

68. minister may make rules on record-keeping
69. interworking with other authorities
70. instruments granted under this act
7. this act prevails over other acts
7. protection of officers and other persons

PART Xi

tRansitional pRovisions

Chapter 

Repeal and Savings

section 73. Repeal 74. dissolution of the telecommunications fund 75. savings

Chapter 

Transitional Provisions for Licences

76. old licences to have effect 77. new class licences to supersede old licences 78. old licences shall be registered 79. a registered licence shall confer no new benefit 80. old licensees shall indicate intention 8. Registered licensee may apply for an individual licence under this act 8. determination of listed facilities and services

SChEduLE

LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 588

cOMMunIcAtIOnS And MuLtIMedIA Act 1998

an act to provide for and to regulate the converging communications and multimedia industries, and for incidental matters.

[1 April 1999, P.U. (B) 128/1999—
except ss. 157, 159-162, 164-171, 176, 178, 197 & 198;
1 April 2000, P.U. (B) 106/2000—ss. 157, 159-162,
164-171, 176 & 178]

Be It enActed by the seri paduka baginda yang di-pertuan agong with the advice and consent of the dewan negara and dewan Rakyat in parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

PART i

pReliminaRy

Short title

1. this act may be cited as the Communications and multimedia act 998.

commencement

2. this act comes into operation on a date to be appointed by the minister by notification in the Gazette, and the minister may appoint different dates for different provisions of this act.

Objects

3. () the objects of this act are—

(a) to promote national policy objectives for the communications and multimedia industry;

(b)

to establish a licensing and regulatory framework in support of national policy objectives for the communications and multimedia industry;

(c)

to establish the powers and functions for the malaysian Communications and multimedia Commission; and

(d)

to establish the powers and procedures for the administration of this act.

() the national policy objectives for the communications and multimedia industry are—

(a)

to establish malaysia as a major global centre and hub for communications and multimedia information and content services;

(b)

to promote a civil society where information-based services will provide the basis of continuing enhancements to quality of work and life;

(c)

to grow and nurture local information resources and cultural representation that facilitate the national identity and global diversity;

(d)

to regulate for the long-term benefit of the end user;

(e)

to promote a high level of consumer confidence in service delivery from the industry;

(f)

to ensure an equitable provision of affordable services over ubiquitous national infrastructure;

(g)

to create a robust applications environment for end users;

(h)

to facilitate the efficient allocation of resources such as skilled labour, capital, knowledge and national assets;

(i)

to promote the development of capabilities and skills within malaysia’s convergence industries; and

(j)

to ensure information security and network reliability and integrity.

(3) nothing in this act shall be construed as permitting the censorship of the internet.

territorial and extra-territorial application

4. () this act and its subsidiary legislation apply both within and outside malaysia.

() notwithstanding subsection (), this act and its subsidiary legislation shall apply to any person beyond the geographical limits of malaysia and her territorial waters if such person—

(a)

is a licensee under this act; or

(b)

provides relevant facilities or services under this act in a place within malaysia.

(3) for the purposes of this section, “a place” means a point of any nature or description whether on land, in the atmosphere, in outer space, underground, underwater, at sea or anywhere else.

(4)

for the purposes of this section, a place that is—

(a)

in or below the stratosphere; and

(b)

above the geographical limits of malaysia and her territorial waters,

is taken to be a place within the geographical limits of malaysia and her territorial waters.

Power of the Minister to exclude certain persons, geographical areas, etc.

5. notwithstanding section 4, the minister may, by order published in the Gazette, exclude or exempt any person or place, premises or geographical area of any description from the provisions of this act.

Interpretation

6. in this act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“access” means access to a network facility or network service listed under Chapter 3 of part vi;

“access code” means a voluntary industry code prepared under section 53;

“access device” means any card, plate, code, account number, electronic serial number, mobile identification number, personal identification number, or other network service, applications service or content applications service, equipment, or facility identifier, or other means of access that can be used, alone or in conjunction with another access device, for the purposes of any communications;

“access forum” means a forum designated under section 5;

“access list” means the list of facilities or services established under Chapter 3 of part vi;

“agreement” means an agreement, whether formal or informal, oral or written, express or implied;

“apparatus assignment” means an assignment issued under section 64;

“appeal tribunal” means the appeal tribunal established under part iii;

“applications service” means a service provided by means of, but not solely by means of, one or more network services;

“applications service provider” means a person who provides an applications service;

“appointed date” means the date on which this act comes into operation;

“arrangement” means an arrangement, whether formal or informal, oral or written, express or implied;

“assignment” means the assignment by the Commission of rights to use the spectrum, numbers or electronic addresses and may include conditions to which the exercise of those rights shall be subject;

“authorized interception” means interception by the licensee of any network facilities, network service or applications service permitted under section 65;

“authorized officer” means any public officer or officer appointed by the Commission and authorized in writing by the minister for the purposes of this act;

“certifying agency” means a certifying agency registered under section 86;

“class assignment” means an assignment issued under section 69;

“class licence” means a licence for any or all persons to conduct a specified activity and may include conditions to which the conduct of that activity shall be subject;

“communications” means any communication, whether between persons and persons, things and things, or persons and things, in the form of sound, data, text, visual images, signals or any other form or any combination of those forms;

“communications market” means an economic market for a network service, or an applications service, or for goods or services used in conjunction with a network service or an applications service, or for access to facilities used in conjunction with either a network service or an applications service;

“Commission” means the malaysian Communications and multimedia Commission established under the malaysian Communications and multimedia Commission act 998 [Act 589];

“conduit” means—

(a)

any conduit which, whether or not it is itself an electric line, is maintained by an electricity company for the purpose of enclosing, surrounding or supporting such line, including, where such conduit is connected to any box, chamber or other structure (including a building) maintained by an electricity supply company for purposes connected with the conveyance, transmission or distribution of electricity, that box, chamber or structure;

(b)

a water main or any other conduit maintained by a water authority for the purpose of conveying water from one place to another;

(c)

a public sewer;

(d)

a culvert or water course; or

(e)

any other underground facility for carrying, enclosing, surrounding or supporting any network facilities;

“consumer code” means a voluntary industry code prepared under Chapter  of part viii;

“consumer forum” means a forum designated under section 89;

“content” means any sound, text, still picture, moving picture or other audio-visual representation, tactile representation or any combination of the preceding which is capable of being created, manipulated, stored, retrieved or communicated electronically;

“content applications service” means an applications service which provides content;

“content code” means a voluntary industry code prepared under Chapter  of part iX;

“content forum” means a forum designated under section ;

“court” means a court of law of competent jurisdiction;

“customer equipment” means any equipment, whether hardware or software, or device, used on the customer side of the network boundary;

“data processing device” means any article or device from which information is capable of being reproduced, with or without the aid of any other article or device;

“declaration” means a declaration made by the minister under section 3;

“determination” means a determination made by the minister under section 0, or by the Commission under section 55;

“direction” means a direction issued by the minister under section 7, or by the Commission under section 5;

“director” has the meaning given to it in the Companies act 965 [Act 125];

“disaster plan” means a disaster plan which may be developed in accordance with section 67;

“frequency band” means a continuous frequency range of spectrum;

“incidental content” means a content which is incidental to the supply of an applications service because of—

(a)

it being related solely to the interface between an applications service and an end user; or

(b)

the reasons set out in a ministerial determination made under section 0;

“individual licence” means a licence for a specified person to conduct a specified activity and may include conditions to which the conduct of that activity shall be subject;

“industry forum” means a forum designated under section 94;

“instrument” includes a direction, determination or declaration;

“intercept” means the aural or other acquisition of the contents of any communications through the use of any electronic, mechanical, or other equipment, device or apparatus;

“interception capability” means the capability of any network facilities or network service or applications service to intercept communications under section 65;

“licensee” means a person who either holds an individual licence, or undertakes activities which are subject to a class licence, granted under this act;

“limited content applications service” means a content applications service the appeal of which is limited because of—

(a)

it being targeted to a special interest group;

(b)

it being available in a restricted geographical area;

(c)

it being available for a short time;

(d)

it being based on content of limited appeal; or

(e) the reasons set out in a ministerial determination made under section 0;

“mail” includes the postal service;

“mandatory standard” means a mandatory standard established under Chapter 0 of part v;

“minister” means the minister for the time being charged with the responsibility for communications and multimedia;

“multimedia information and content” means digitized content;

“network boundary” means the network boundary provided under section 8;

“network facilities” means any element or combination of elements of physical infrastructure used principally for, or in connection with, the provision of network services, but does not include customer equipment;

“network facilities provider” means a person who owns or provides any network facilities;

“network service provider” means a person who provides network services;

“nominated facilities provider” means a person, other than the owner of the network facilities, declared by the minister to be a nominated facilities provider;

“number” means a number, letter or symbol;

“numbering and electronic addressing plan” means the numbering and electronic addressing plan developed under section 80;

“owner” means the legal or beneficial owner;

“post” means a post, pole, tower, standard, stay, strut or other above-ground facility for carrying, suspending or supporting any network facilities;

“public utility” means a body that provides to the public—

(a)

reticulated products or services, such as electricity, gas, water, sewerage or drainage;

(b)

telecommunications services;

(c)

transport services; or

(d)

a product or service of a kind that is similar to a product or service covered by paragraph (a), (b) or (c);

“register” means any one of the registers established or maintained by the Commission for the purposes of this act;

“register of opinions” means the register of opinions maintained under section 97 or 0, or any other relevant section;

“required applications service” means an applications service which is in a list determined by the minister under section 9;

“spectrum” means the continuous range of electromagnetic wave frequencies up to and including a frequency of 40 terahertz;

“spectrum assignment” means the assignment issued under section 59;

“spectrum plan” means the spectrum plan developed under section 7;

“technical code” means a voluntary industry code prepared under Chapter 3 of part vii;

“technical standards forum” means a forum designated under section 84;

“transmit” or “transmission” means to cause any emission of unguided electromagnetic energy in any part of the spectrum;

“voluntary industry code” means a voluntary industry code prepared under Chapter 9 of part v.

PART ii

ministeRial poweRs and pRoCeduRes

Chapter 

Ministerial Direction

direction by the Minister

7. () the minister may, from time to time, issue directions to the Commission on the exercise of the Commission’s powers and the performance of the Commission’s functions and duties under this act, whether of a general character or otherwise.

() any ministerial direction shall be consistent with the objects and provisions of this act which are relevant to the particular matter or activity.

(3)

the Commission shall exercise its powers conferred under this act in a manner which is consistent with a ministerial direction.

(4)

every ministerial direction shall be registered by the Commission as soon as practicable.

(5)

a direction shall come into operation on the date of registration or such later date as the minister may specify in the written instrument.

(6)

a direction shall expire on such date as the minister may specify in the written instrument or, if no date is specified, the direction shall be in operation until the direction is revoked.

Variation of a direction

8. () the minister may at any time modify, vary or revoke a direction.

() the procedure set out in section 7 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of any modification, variation or revocation of a direction.

Register of directions

9. the Commission shall maintain a register of all directions issued by the minister in accordance with Chapter 6 of part v.

Chapter 

Ministerial Determination

determination by the Minister

10. () the minister may, from time to time, determine any matter specified in this act as being subject to ministerial determination, without consultation with any licensees or persons.

() any determination shall be consistent with the objects and provisions of this act which are relevant to the particular matter or activity.

(3)

the Commission shall exercise its powers conferred under this act in a manner which is consistent with the determination.

(4)

the minister shall provide a copy of the determination under this Chapter to the Commission as soon as practicable.

(5)

every determination shall be registered by the Commission as soon as practicable.

(6)

a determination shall come into operation on the date of registration or such later date as the minister may specify in the written instrument.

(7)

a determination shall expire on such date as the minister may specify in the written instrument or, if no date is specified, the determination shall be in operation until the determination is revoked.

Variation of a determination

11. () the minister may at any time modify, vary or revoke a determination.

() the procedure set out in section 0 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of any modification, variation or revocation of a determination.

Register of determinations

12. the Commission shall maintain a register of all determinations made by the minister in accordance with Chapter 6 of part v.

Chapter 3

Ministerial Declaration

declaration by the Minister

13. () the minister may, from time to time, make a written declaration that an individual licence, or a class of individual licences, or a class licence—

(a)

is subject to such conditions; or

(b)

enjoys such benefits, as the minister deems fit.

() any declaration on the conditions of licence shall relate to the matters set out in the schedule.

(3)

the minister may also make a written declaration to exempt a licensee from complying with any conditions of a licence.

(4)

before making a declaration under subsection (), the, minister shall give the affected licensees written notice of his intention to do so together with a draft copy of the declaration, and the licensees may make submissions to the minister by submitting them to the Commission within the time period specified by the minister but the time period shall not be less than thirty days.

(5)

after expiry of the notice specified in subsection (4), the minister shall, on the recommendation of the Commission, decide on the next course of action, taking into consideration any submission made by the affected licensees.

(6)

the minister shall give the affected licensees a written notice of the declaration made under subsection () as soon as practicable.

(7)

any declaration shall be consistent with the objects and provisions of this act which are relevant to the particular matter or activity.

(8)

the Commission shall exercise its powers conferred under this act in a manner which is consistent with the declaration.

(9)

the minister shall provide a copy of the declaration under this Chapter to the Commission as soon as practicable.

(0) every declaration shall be registered by the Commission as soon as practicable.

() a declaration other than a declaration under subsection () shall come into operation on the date of registration or such later date as the minister may specify in the instrument.

() a declaration shall expire on such date as the minister may specify in the written notice or, if no date is specified, the declaration shall be in operation until the declaration is revoked.

Modification, variation or revocation of a declaration

14. () the minister may at any time modify, vary or revoke a declaration regarding a licence.

() the procedure set out in section 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of any modification, variation or revocation of a declaration.

Register of declarations

15. the Commission shall maintain a register of all declarations made by the minister in accordance with Chapter 6 of part v.

Chapter 4

Ministerial Regulations

Minister’s power to make regulations

16. () the minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission or otherwise, make regulations, to be published in the Gazette, for all or any of the following purposes:

(a)

the procedures for the Commission and the appeal tribunal in the exercise of their powers and functions under this act;

(b)

the form of, and requirements for, written authorizations, assignments and licences granted or issued under this act;

(c)

the procedures for the assignment of rights to the spectrum or numbers under part vii, including mechanisms for rate-based assignment;

(d)

any fees, charges or rates to be imposed;

(e)

the procedures for the implementation of a system of universal service provision under part viii, including but not limited to the quality of service standards;

(f)

the procedures for the use of network facilities, network services, applications services and content applications services in emergency or distress situations;

(g)

the compounding of offences;

(h)

any redress, including compensation or penalties in respect of a breach of or offence against any subsidiary legislation;

(i)

any matter for which this act makes express provision; and

(j)

such other matters as are necessary for giving full effect to the provisions of this act and for their due administration.

() the regulations made under subsection (), or any other subsidiary legislation made under this act, may prescribe any act in contravention of the regulations, or other subsidiary legislation, to be an offence and may prescribe penalties of a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand ringgit or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years or both for such offence and, in the case of a continuing offence, may prescribe, in addition to such penalties, a fine of one thousand ringgit for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.

PART iii

appeal tRibunal

establishment of the Appeal tribunal

17. () the minister may establish an appeal tribunal, which shall convene on an ad hoc basis, as the minister considers necessary or expedient for good cause and in the interest of justice, or to assist in the performance of the Commission’s functions, or in the public interest.

() the minister shall appoint, by order to be published in the Gazette—

(a)

a Chairman of the appeal tribunal; and

(b)

at least two other members, or such greater number of members, of the appeal tribunal,

to review a particular matter under a licence, this act or its subsidiary legislation.

(3)

the minister shall appoint a person who is currently a Judge of the high Court to be the Chairman of the appeal tribunal.

(4)

the appointment of any member of the appeal tribunal may be renewed upon the expiry of his term as a member.

(5)

no member of the appeal tribunal shall be appointed for a term exceeding three years.

(6)

notwithstanding subsection (5), a member of the appeal tribunal may be reappointed for a further term.

Matters which the Appeal tribunal may review

18. () the appeal tribunal may review any matter on appeal, from a decision or direction of the Commission but not from a determination by the Commission.

() any decision by the appeal tribunal is final and binding on the parties to the appeal and is not subject to further appeal.

Qualifications of members

19. a person is qualified to be a member of the appeal tribunal if he has knowledge of or experience in—

(a)

the communications and multimedia industry;

(b)

engineering;

(c)

law;

(d)

economics or commerce; or

(e)

public administration.

Resignation and termination of an appointment

20. () the minister may at any time terminate the appointment of the Chairman or any other member of the appeal tribunal if—

(a)

he resigns his office;

(b)

he becomes of unsound mind or otherwise incapable of performing his duties or managing his affairs;

(c)

he becomes bankrupt or insolvent;

(d)

he is prohibited from being a director of a company under any written law relating to companies;

(e)

he has been convicted of an offence, under any law, by a court in malaysia;

(f)

he is guilty of serious misconduct in relation to his duties;

(g)

he fails to comply with his obligations under section 6; or

(h) his performance has been unsatisfactory for a significant period of time.

() the Chairman or any member may, at any time, resign his office by giving a written notice to the minister.

Vacation of office and acting appointments

21. () the office of the Chairman or any member of the appeal tribunal shall be vacated if—

(a)

he dies;

(b)

he resigns or otherwise vacates his office before the expiry of the term for which he is appointed; or

(c)

his appointment is terminated.

() the minister shall appoint a person in accordance with section 7 to replace the Chairman or any other member during the vacancy in the office of the Chairman or any other member.

(3)

the minister shall appoint a person in accordance with section 7 to act as the Chairman, or any other member—

(a)

during any period when the Chairman or any other member is absent from any duty or from malaysia; or

(b)

if the Chairman or any other member is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

(4)

the exercise of the powers, or the performance of the functions, of the appeal tribunal is not affected only because of there being a vacancy in the membership of the tribunal.

Quorum for the Appeal tribunal

22. the quorum for the appeal tribunal shall be formed by—

(a)

a Judge; and

(b)

at least two other members, or any greater even number of members not exceeding four, none of whom are Judges,

for the purposes of the functions of the appeal tribunal under this act.

decision

23. the decision of the appeal tribunal, on any matter, shall be decided on a majority of votes of the members.

enforcement of decision of Appeal tribunal

23A. any decision given by the appeal tribunal may be enforced in the same manner as a judgment or an order of the high Court.

Appeal tribunal procedures

24. the minister may make regulations regarding the operating procedures of the appeal tribunal, including but not limited to—

(a)

the funding of the appeal tribunal;

(b)

members’ remuneration;

(c)

the appointment of members to form the quorum of the appeal tribunal;

(d)

the appointment of an acting member;

(e)

the conduct of the hearings;

(f)

any other matter incidental to the hearings; and

(g)

the employment of staff, if any.

Powers of Appeal tribunal

24A. the appeal tribunal shall have the power—

(a)

to summon parties to the proceedings or any other person to attend before it to give evidence in respect of an appeal;

(b)

to procure and receive evidence on oath or affirmation, whether written or oral, and examine all such persons as witnesses as the appeal tribunal thinks necessary to procure, receive or examine;

(c)

where a person is so summoned, to require the production of any book, paper, document, record or other thing in

his possession or under his control and which the appeal tribunal may consider necessary for the purposes of the appeal;

(d)

to administer any oath, affirmation or statutory declaration, as the case may require;

(e)

where a person is so summoned, to allow the payment for any reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his attendance;

(f)

of a subordinate court with regard to the enforcement of attendance of witnesses, hearing evidence on oath or affirmation and punishment for contempt;

(g)

to admit evidence or reject evidence adduced, whether oral or documentary, and whether admissible or inadmissible under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to the admissibility of evidence;

(h)

to adjourn the hearing of an appeal from time to time, including the power to adjourn to consider its decision; and

(i)

to generally direct and do all such things as may be necessary or expedient for the expeditious decision of the appeal.

Suspension of member

25. the minister may, at his discretion, suspend any member of the appeal tribunal on the ground of misbehaviour or incapacity.

disclosure of interest

26. () a member of the appeal tribunal shall disclose, as soon as practicable, to the Chairman any interest, whether substantial or not, which may conflict with the member’s duties as a member of the tribunal, in a particular matter.

() if the Chairman is of the opinion that the member’s interest is in conflict with the member’s duties, the Chairman shall inform all the parties, including the appellants and the respondents, to the matter of the conflict.

(3)

if none of the parties to the matter objects to the conflict, the member may continue to execute his duties as a member of the tribunal in relation to that matter.

(4)

if a party to the matter objects to the conflict, the member shall not continue to execute his duties as a member of the tribunal in relation to that matter.

(5)

the failure by a member to disclose his interest in the matter shall subject him to the relevant disciplinary measures under section 0 or 5.

Secretary of Appeal tribunal and other officers

26A. () the minister shall designate a public officer as a secretary of the appeal tribunal to assist the appeal tribunal in carrying out its function under this act.

() the minister may designate such number of other public officers as the minister thinks fit to assist the secretary in carrying out his function under subsection ().

(3) for the purpose of this act, the secretary and the officers designated under subsection () shall be deemed to be officers of the appeal tribunal.

Obligation of secrecy

26b. () except for this part or for the purposes of any civil or criminal proceedings under any written law, or where authorized by the minister—

(a)

the Chairman, members of the appeal tribunal or any officer of the appeal tribunal shall not, during the time he serves as such Chairman, member or officer, disclose any information obtained by him in the course of his duties; and

(b)

no other person who has, by any means, access to any information or document relating to the affairs of the appeal tribunal shall disclose such information or document.

() a person who contravenes subsection () commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

Public servants and public officers

26c. the Chairman and all members and officers of the appeal tribunal, while discharging their duties as the Chairman and such members and officers, shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of the penal Code [Act 574], and to be public officers for the purposes of the Criminal procedure Code [Act 593].

Application of Public Authorities Protection Act 1948

26d. the public authorities protection act 948 [Act 198] shall apply to any action, suit, prosecution or proceedings against the appeal tribunal, Chairman or any member or officer of the appeal tribunal in respect of any act, neglect or default done or committed by him in such capacity.

Act or omission done in good faith

26e. no action or suit shall be instituted or maintained in any court against—

(a)

the appeal tribunal;

(b)

the Chairman or any member of the appeal tribunal;

(c)

the secretary or any other officer of the appeal tribunal; or

(d)

a person authorized to act for and on behalf of the appeal tribunal,

for any act or omission done in good faith in the performance of its or his functions and the exercise of its or his powers under this act and any subsidiary legislation made under this act.

PART iv

liCenCes

Chapter 1

Individual Licence

Application for an individual licence

27. () subject to subsection (), a person may apply, in writing, to the Commission for an individual licence in respect of any matter requiring an individual licence under this act.

() for the purposes of subsection (), the minister may set out in the regulations made under section 6 the persons or classes of persons who are not eligible to apply for an individual licence.

(3) an application under this section may be withdrawn at any time before it is granted or refused.

Further information

28. () the Commission may at any time after the application for an individual licence is made, request the applicant to give the Commission, within the period specified in the request, further information on the application.

() if any additional information or document required under subsection () is not provided by the applicant within the time specified in the request or any extension of time granted by the Commission, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn and shall not be further proceeded with, but without affecting the right of the applicant to make a fresh application.

Recommendation by the commission

29. the Commission shall, within sixty days of receiving an application for an individual licence under this part or such other period as may be specified by the minister, provide a written recommendation to the minister specifying—

(a) whether the individual licence should be granted to the applicant;

(b)

any special or additional conditions which the individual licence should be subject to, if the Commission recommends the granting of the individual licence; and

(c)

the reasons for its recommendation.

Grant of an individual licence

30. () the minister shall have due regard to the recommendation of the Commission given under section 9 before making a decision.

() the minister may, acting on the recommendation of the Commission, by written notice—

(a)

grant an individual licence in accordance with the provisions of this part; and

(b)

declare that an individual licence granted under this part be subject to special or additional conditions.

(3)

if the minister grants an individual licence under subsection (), the Commission shall inform the applicant by written notice—

(a)

that the individual licence has been granted; and

(b)

of any special or additional conditions, which are declared by the minister under section 3.

(4)

notwithstanding subsection (), all individual licences shall be deemed to include the relevant standard licence conditions specified in the schedule.

(5)

the individual licence granted under subsection () is subject to any other approvals of the relevant authorities, including the state authority, for the placing, laying or maintenance of any network facilities on, through, under, or across any land.

(6)

if the minister refuses to grant an individual licence to an applicant, the minister shall give the applicant a written notice informing him—

(a)

that the application has been refused; and

(b)

the reasons for the refusal.

(7)

for the purposes of this section, the minister shall inform the applicant by written notice of his decision, as soon as practicable, after making the decision to approve or refuse the application.

(8)

if the minister neither grants, nor refuses to grant, an individual licence within thirty days from the receipt of the recommendation by the Commission, the minister is deemed, at the end of the period, to have refused to grant the individual licence unless the applicant receives a written notice approving the application for an individual licence after the period.

(9)

an approval fee, to be decided upon by the minister, shall be payable upon the approval of the application.

Restriction on the grant of an individual licence

31. the minister may not grant an individual licence to a person if that person is operating under an existing class licence in respect of the same service or activity.

compliance with the conditions of an individual licence

32. an individual licensee shall comply with—

(a)

the relevant standard conditions of the individual licence as set out in the schedule; and

(b)

any special or additional conditions of the individual licence as declared by the minister and included in the individual licence.

Modification, variation or revocation of individual licence conditions

33. () the minister may, at any time, by declaration in accordance with section 3—

(a)

modify or vary the special or additional conditions of an existing individual licence;

(b)

revoke the special or additional conditions of an existing individual licence; or

(c)

impose further special or additional conditions to an existing individual licence.

() the procedures set out in section 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the modification, variation, or revocation of a licence condition under this section.

Renewal of an individual licence

34. () the licensee may apply for the renewal of an individual licence not later than sixty days before its expiry.

() the renewal fee, to be decided upon by the minister, shall be payable upon approval of the application.

(3)

the application for the renewal of an individual licence shall be granted by the minister unless the minister, on the recommendation of the Commission, determines that the licensee—

(a)

has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the individual licence;

(b)

has failed to comply with the provisions of this act; or

(c)

has failed to comply with any instrument issued, made or given by the minister or the Commission.

(4)

if the minister has no intention of renewing the individual licence, the Commission shall—

(a)

inform the licensee by written notice, as soon as practicable, of his refusal to renew the individual licence; and

(b)

notify and publish, at least thirty days before the expiry of the individual licence, such intention in at least one national language and one english language national daily newspapers for at least three consecutive days.

(5)

the affected licensee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to make written submissions to the minister within a time period specified in the notice and such time period shall not be less than fourteen days.

(6)

the affected licensee may, within the time period specified in the notice, submit a written submission and the minister shall consider the submission.

Surrender of an individual licence

35. () a licensee may, by written notice, surrender his individual licence to the minister—

(a)

at any time; or

(b)

in accordance with the requirements set out in the individual licence.

() the surrender shall take effect on the date the Commission receives the individual licence and the notice under subsection (), or where a later date is specified in the notice, on that date.

(3) the surrender of an individual licence shall be irrevocable unless it is expressed to take effect on a later date and before that date the Commission, by notice in writing to the licensee, allows the surrender to be withdrawn.

transfer of an individual licence or change of ownership

36. () the grant of an individual licence shall be personal to the licensee and the individual licence shall not be assigned or transferred to any other party unless the prior written approval of the minister has been granted.

() the minister may seek the advice of the Commission before granting an approval under subsection ().

Recommendation for the suspension or cancellation of an individual licence

37. the minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, by declaration in accordance with section 3, suspend or cancel an individual licence granted under this act in any of the following circumstances:

(a)

the licensee has failed to pay any amount required by this act or the individual licence;

(b)

the licensee has failed to comply with the provisions of this act or the terms and conditions of the individual licence;

(c)

the licensee has contravened the provisions of any other written law relevant to the communications and multimedia industry;

(d)

the licensee has failed to comply with any instrument issued, made or given by the minister or the Commission; or

(e)

the suspension or cancellation is in the public interest.

Suspension or cancellation of an individual licence by the Minister

38. () the minister may, by declaration in accordance with section 3, suspend or cancel an individual licence granted under this part in any one of the circumstances set out in section 37.

() the procedures set out in section 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the suspension or cancellation of an individual licence under this section.

effective date of suspension or cancellation of an individual licence

39. the suspension or cancellation of an individual licence shall take effect on the expiration of fourteen days from the date on which the notice of suspension or cancellation is served on the licensee.

Publication on suspension or cancellation of an individual licence

40. () where the suspension or cancellation of an individual licence has taken effect, the Commission shall, as soon as practicable, cause the suspension or cancellation to be published in at least one national language and one english language national daily newspapers for at least three consecutive days.

() any delay or failure to publish the notice of suspension or cancellation shall not in any manner affect the validity of the suspension or cancellation.

effect of suspension, cancellation, surrender or expiry of an individual licence

41. () where the suspension or cancellation of an individual licence under section 37, or the surrender of an individual licence under section 35, has taken effect, or where the individual licence has expired, the licensee shall immediately cease to provide any facility or service in respect of which the individual licence was granted.

() notwithstanding subsection (), the minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, authorize the licensee in writing to carry on providing any facility or service for such duration as the minister may specify in the authorization for the purpose of winding up the licensee’s affairs.

(3)

notwithstanding subsection (), the licensee whose individual licence has expired shall be entitled to carry on providing a facility or service as if his individual licence had not expired upon proof being submitted to the Commission that the licensee has applied for the renewal of the individual licence in accordance with section 34 and that such application is pending determination by the minister.

(4)

subject to subsections () and (3), a person who contravenes subsection () commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.

Register of individual licences

42. () the minister shall provide a copy to the Commission of—

(a)

any individual licence granted under this part;

(b)

any special or additional conditions specified in the individual licence;

(c)

any written notice varying, revoking or imposing any special or additional conditions specified in the individual licence;

(d)

any written notice by the licensee surrendering his individual licence;

(e)

any written notice by the minister suspending or cancelling the individual licence; and

(f)

any written notice approving the transfer of an individual licence or a change in beneficial ownership of the individual licence.

() the Commission shall maintain a register, which shall be made available to the public, of all individual licences which have been granted under this part.

(3)

the Commission shall maintain a separate register, which shall be made available to the public, of all the matters listed in paragraphs ()(b) to (f).

(4)

the Commission shall maintain the registers in accordance with Chapter 6 of part v.

Rights and obligations attached to an individual licence

43. () the grant of certain individual licences may be conditional on the registration of undertakings by a prospective licensee.

() in granting individual licences, the minister may declare specified benefits only for licensees who have current registered undertakings under this section.

(3)

the minister may make regulations on the types of matters which may be included in an undertaking by a prospective licensee and the commensurate benefits for which the licensee shall be eligible in respect of such matters.

(4)

the regulations made by the minister under section 6 and this section may provide for any or all specified benefits to have effect when a licensee meets any one or more of the terms of his undertakings under subsection (), as the minister deems fit.

(5)

a licence fee shall be payable by a licensee to the Commission under this section, subject to such terms as may be provided in the regulations made, and as required in the individual licence granted, under this part.

Chapter 

Class Licence

Minister may grant class licence

44. () the minister may grant a class licence in respect of any matter requiring a licence under this act.

() a class licence granted under subsection () may include the relevant standard conditions as set out in the schedule and/or such other standard conditions as may be declared by the minister from time to time.

(3) the minister shall give a copy of all class licences to the Commission as soon as practicable and the Commission shall register them.

Application for registration

45. () a person who intends to operate under a class licence shall register with the Commission by submitting a registration notice to the Commission.

() a registration fee, to be prescribed by the minister by notification in the Gazette, shall be payable by the person to the Commission upon the registration of that person.

Requirement for registration

46. subject to the exceptions provided in this act, no person shall operate under any class licence unless the person is duly registered by the Commission.

Recommendation by the commission

47. the Commission may make a written recommendation to the minister that the person subject to a class licence under this part be de-registered in any of the following circumstances:

(a) the person has failed to pay any amount required by this act or the licence;

(b)

the person has failed to comply with the provisions of this act or the terms and conditions of the licence;

(c)

the person has contravened the provisions of any written law relevant to the communications and multimedia industry;

(d)

the person has failed to comply with any instrument issued, made or given by the minister or the Commission; or

(e)

the de-registration is in the public interest.

cancellation of registration by the Minister

48. () the minister may, by declaration in accordance with section 3, cancel the registration of a person under this part according to the recommendation of the Commission made under section 47.

() the person whose registration has been cancelled shall cease the activity to which the registration applied until such time as the Commission, with the prior express direction of the minister, has agreed to reregister the person.

Register of class licences

49. the Commission shall maintain a separate register, which shall be made available to the public, of—

(a)

all class licences;

(b)

all declarations by the minister varying or revoking conditions, or imposing other standard conditions as specified in the licence; and

(c)

all written notices by the minister cancelling any registration.

Register of registration notices

50. the Commission shall maintain a register of all registration notices approved and registered under this act, in accordance with Chapter 6 of part v.

PART v

poweRs and pRoCeduRes of the malaysianCommuniCations and multimedia Commission

Chapter 

Directions

directions by the commission

51. () the Commission may, from time to time, issue directions in writing to any person regarding the compliance or non-compliance of any licence conditions, and including but not limited to the remedy of a breach of a licence condition, and the provisions of this act or its subsidiary legislation.

() before issuing a direction under subsection (), the Commission shall issue a notice in writing to the person specifying the nature of required compliance.

(3)

the person shall be granted an opportunity to be heard or may submit a written submission within a reasonable time period specified in the notice on the reasons for his conduct or activity.

(4)

after the expiry of the notice specified in subsection (3), the Commission shall take into consideration any reasons provided by the person before making a decision in relation to the relevant conduct or activity of the person.

(5)

after due consideration of any reasons provided by the person, the Commission may issue a direction under subsection () requiring the person to take specified action directed towards ensuring that the person does not contravene or continue to contravene any of the conditions of his licence and/or any of the provisions of this act or its subsidiary legislation.

(6)

the Commission shall give the person written notice of its direction as soon as practicable.

(7)

the person shall comply with the direction issued by the Commission under subsection (6).

(8)

A direction issued by the Commission under this Chaptershall be registered as soon as practicable.

(9)

The direction shall be effective from the date of registrationor such later date as the Commission may specify.

(10)

The direction shall expire on such date as the Commissionmay specify in the written instrument or, if no date is specified,the direction shall be in operation until it is revoked.

Modification, variation or revocation of a direction by the Commission

52. (1) The Commission may modify, vary or revoke a direction.

(2) The procedure set out in section 51 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of any modification, variation or revocationof a direction.

Offence for non-compliance with a direction of the Commission

53. A person who fails to comply with a direction of the Commission commits an offence and shall, on conviction, beliable to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand ringgit or toimprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.

Register of directions

54. The Commission shall maintain a register of all directionsissued by the Commission, including any written instrumentsmodifying, varying or revoking a direction, in accordance withChapter 6 of this Part.

Chapter 2

Determination

Determination by the Commission

55. (1) The Commission may, from time to time, determine anymatter specified in this Act as being subject to the Commission’sdetermination.

(2)

The Commission may conduct an inquiry to decide whethera determination should be made, either—

(a)

in response to a written request from a person; or

(b)

on its own initiative.

(3)

Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Commission shall notconduct an inquiry unless it is satisfied that the matter is ofsignificant interest to either the public or to current or prospectivelicensees under this Act.

(4)

An inquiry shall be carried out in accordance with Chapter3 of this Part, and at a standard and in a manner consistent withthe provisions of this Act and its subsidiary legislation and anyinstrument issued, made or given under this Act.

(5)

Within forty-five days from the conclusion of the inquiry,the Commission shall determine the matter.

(6)

Any determination by the Commission shall be consistentwith the objects of, and any requirements provided in, this Actwhich are relevant to the particular matter or activity.

(7)

A determination made by the Commission under this Chaptershall be registered as soon as practicable.

(8)

A determination shall come into force on the date ofregistration or such later date as the Commission may specify.

(9)

A determination shall expire on such date as the Commissionmay specify or, if no date is specified, the determination shallbe in force until the determination is revoked.

Modification, variation or revocation of a determination by the Commission

56. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commissionmay modify, vary or revoke a determination, in response to awritten request or on its own initiative.

(2) The procedures set out in section 55 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of any modification, variation or revocationof the determination.

Register of determinations

57. The Commission shall maintain a register of all determinationsmade by the Commission, including any written instrument modifying, varying or revoking a determination, in accordancewith Chapter 6 of this Part.

Chapter 3

Inquiry

Inquiry by the Commission

58. (1) The Commission shall, in response to a Ministerial direction, hold a public inquiry on any matter of a general naturewhich relates to the administration of this Act or its subsidiarylegislation which will serve the objects of this Act.

(2) The Commission may hold a public inquiry under subsection (1)—

(a)

in response to a written request from a person; or

(b)

on its own initiative,

only if it is satisfied that the matter is of significant interest toeither the public or to current or prospective licensees underthis Act.

Combining two or more inquiries

59. The Commission may combine two or more inquiries into asingle inquiry.

Conduct of an inquiry

60. (1) An inquiry under this Part is to be conducted as andwhen the Commission thinks fit.

(2) The Commission may, for the purposes of an inquiry, exerciseany or all of its investigation and information-gathering powersunder Chapters 4 and 5 of this Part.

Inquiry shall be public

61. (1) Subject to section 62, if the Commission decides tohold a public inquiry or is directed to hold a public inquiry, theCommission shall publish, in the manner that it deems appropriate,notice of—

(a)

the fact that it is holding the inquiry;

(b)

the period during which the inquiry is to be held;

(c)

the nature of the matter to which the inquiry relates;

(d)

the period, of at least forty-five days, within which, andthe form in which, members of the public are invitedto make submissions to the Commission about that matter;

(e)

the matters that the Commission would like the submissions to deal with; and

(f)

the address or addresses to which the submissions maybe sent.

(2)

The Commission does not need to publish at the sametime or in the same manner the notice of all matters referred to in subsection (1).

(3)

The Commission shall consider any submissions receivedwithin the time limit as specified in the notice.

(4)

The submissions made by the members of the public shallbe in the form and of the nature as specified in the notice.

Exceptions to a public inquiry

62. Notwithstanding section 61, an inquiry or a part of an inquirymay be conducted in private if the Commission is satisfiedthat—

(a)

the documents or information that may be given, or amatter that may arise during the inquiry or a part ofthe inquiry, is of a confidential nature; or

(b)

an inquiry or part of an inquiry of a matter, or part ofa matter, in public would not be conducive to the dueadministration of this Act.

Confidential material not to be disclosed

63. (1) If an inquiry takes place in public and the Commissionis of the opinion that—

(a)

the evidence or other material presented to the inquiry; or

(b)

the material in written submissions lodged with theCommission,

is of a confidential nature, the Commission may direct that—

(aa) the evidence or material should not be published; or

(bb) its disclosure be restricted.

(2) A person shall not without reasonable excuse fail to complywith a direction under subsection (1).

Directions about an inquiry

64. (1) If an inquiry or part of an inquiry takes place in private,the Commission—

(a)

shall give a direction as to the persons who may bepresent at the inquiry or part of the inquiry; and

(b)

may give a direction restricting the disclosure of evidenceor other material presented at the inquiry or part of theinquiry.

(2)

Notwithstanding section 53, a person who without reasonableexcuse fails to comply with a direction given under subsection

(1)

commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to afine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonmentfor a term not exceeding six months or to both.

Report on an inquiry

65. (1) The Commission shall publish a report, setting out itsfindings as a result of any inquiry it conducts.

(2) The Commission shall publish the report within thirty daysof the conclusion of the inquiry.

(3) The Commission shall not include in the report any material—

(a)

that is of a confidential nature;

(b)

the disclosure of which is likely to prejudice the fair trialof a person;

(c)

which would involve the unreasonable disclosure of personal information about any individual (including adeceased individuan( � or

(d)

that is the subject of a direction under section 63 or

64.

Protection from civil action

66. Civil proceedings shall not lie against a person in respect ofany loss, damage or injury of any kind suffered by another personbecause of any of the following acts done in good faith:

(a)

the making of a request under section 58; or

(b)

the making of a statement, or giving of a document orinformation, to the Commission in relation to an inquiryunder this Chapter.

Register of reports

67. The Commission shall maintain a register of all reports madepursuant to an inquiry under this Chapter, in accordance with theprovisions in Chapter 6 of this Part.

Chapter 4

Investigation for Purposes of Administration, Inquiry, etc.

Investigation by the Commission

68. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law,the Commission shall investigate any matter pertaining to theadministration of this Act or its subsidiary legislation if—

(a) the Minister directs the Commission to conduct an investigation into any civil or criminal offence under this Act or its subsidiary legislation which may havebeen or may be committed; or

(b) the Commission has grounds to believe that a civil orcriminal offence under this Act or its subsidiary legislationwas, is or will be committed.

Complaints to the Commission

69. (1) The Commission may conduct an investigation on a matterreferred to in section 68 upon a written complaint by a person.

(2) The complaint shall specify the person against whom thecomplaint is made (“the respondent”).

(3)

If it appears to the Commission that—

(a)

a person wishes to make a complaint; and

(b)

the person requires assistance to formulate the complaintor to reduce it into writing,

it is the duty of the Commission to take reasonable steps toprovide appropriate assistance to the person.

(4)

If a complaint has been made to the Commission under thissection, the Commission may make inquiries of the respondentfor the purpose of deciding—

(a)

whether the Commission has power to investigate thematter to which the complaint relates; or

(b)

whether the Commission should, in its discretion, investigatethe matter.

(5)

If the Commission decides not to investigate, or not toinvestigate further, a matter to which a complaint relates, itshall as soon as practicable and in such manner as it thinks fit,inform the complainant and the respondent of the decision andthe reasons for the decision.

Conduct of investigation

70. (1) Before beginning an investigation of a matter to whichthe complaint relates, the Commission shall inform the respondentthat the matter is to be investigated.

(2)

An investigation under this Part is to be conducted as theCommission thinks fit.

(3)

The Commission may, for the purposes of an investigation,obtain information from such persons as it thinks fit.

(4)

Subject to subsection (5), it is not necessary for a complainantor a respondent to be given an opportunity to appear before theCommission in connection with an investigation.

(5)

The Commission shall not, as a result of the investigation,make a finding that is adverse to a complainant or a respondentunless it has given the complainant or respondent an opportunityto make submissions about a matter to which the investigationrelates within a time period of not less than thirty days.

(6)

The Commission shall consider the submissions made bythe complainant or the respondent under subsection (5) beforemaking its decision.

Report on investigation

71. (1) After concluding an investigation, the Commission mayprepare and give to the Minister a report.

(2) The report under subsection (1) shall cover—

(a)

the conduct of the investigation concerned;

(b)

any findings that the Commission has made as a resultof the investigation;

(c)

the evidence and other material on which those findingswere based; and

(d)

such other matters relating to, or arising out of, theinvestigation as the Commission thinks fit or as theMinister directs.

Publication of reports

72. The Minister may direct the Commission to publish a reportof an investigation if the Minister is satisfied that the publicationwould be in the national interest.

Chapter 5

Information-gathering Powers

Provision of information

73. (1) This section applies to any person if the Commission hasreason to believe that the person—

(a)

has any information (including but not limited to accountsand records) or any document that is relevant to theperformance of the Commission’s powers and functionsunder this Act or its subsidiary legislation; or

(b)

is capable of giving any evidence which the Commissionhas reason to believe is relevant to the performance ofthe Commission’s powers and functions under this Actor its subsidiary legislation.

(2)

Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law,the Commission may, by a written notice, direct any person—

(a)

to give the Commission, within the period and in themanner and form specified in the notice, any such information;

(b)

to produce to the Commission, within the period and inthe manner specified in the notice, any such documents,whether in a physical form or in an electronic media;

(c)

to make copies of any such documents and to producethose copies to the Commission within the period andin the manner specified in the notice;

(d)

if the person is an individual, to appear, at a privatehearing, before the Commission at a time and placespecified in the notice to give any such evidence, eitherorally or in writing, and produce any such documents,whether in a physical form or in an electronic media;

(e)

if the person is a body corporate or a public body, to causea competent officer of the body to appear, at a privatehearing, before the Commission at a time and placespecified in the notice to give any such evidence, eitherorally or in writing, and produce any such documents,whether in a physical form or in an electronic media; or

(f)

if the person is a partnership, to cause an individual whois a partner in the partnership or an employee of thepartnership to appear, at a private hearing, before theCommission at a time and place specified in the noticeto give any such evidence, either orally or in writing,and produce any such documents, whether in a physicalform or in an electronic media.

(3)

The Commission shall allow the person so directed undersubsection (2) a reasonable time to give and to produce anyinformation and/or documents specified in the notice.

(4)

Any person required to provide information under subsection (2) shall ensure that the information provided istrue, accurate and complete and such person shall provide arepresentation to that effect, including a representation that heis not aware of any other information which would make theinformation provided untrue or misleading.