KUALA LUMPUR: Seven warehouse operators provisionally found to have infringed the Competition Act 2010 by engaging in price fixing have been given 30 days from today to make their representations to the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) before a final decision is reached.
The companies are Regional Synergy (M) Sdn Bhd, WCS Warehousing Sdn Bhd, Pioneerpac Sdn Bhd, Interocean Warehousing Service Sdn Bhd, Intrexim Sdn Bhd, SAL Agencies Sdn Bhd and Prima Warehousing Sdn Bhd.
MyCC CEO Iskandar Ismail said the commission had issued a proposed decision against the warehouse operators for infringing Section 4 of the Competition Act 2010 in relation to the price fixing for long length handling and heavy lift handling surcharges for import and export cargoes in the Northport and Westport areas in Port Klang.
Any warehouse operator found guilty would be fined up to 10% of its worldwide turnover, he told a media briefing here today.
MyCC also found, through online platform conversation, that most of the warehouse operators had implemented the price fixing rates on their respective customers, Iskandar said.
“Price fixing cartel is the supreme evil of competition law, which must be stopped in order to protect the consumers.
“MyCC will continue its effort to combat price fixing cartels for the benefit of the consumers, who are now grappling with cost of living issue,” he said.
Iskandar said infringing parties actually had the option of coming to MyCC to admit their guilt and then asking for leniency.
“We can give up to 100% discount on the fine if they admit and cooperate with us in the investigation. Please surrender if you want to,” he added.
As for the proposal to slap a fine of RM86.77 mil on Grab Holdings Inc, Iskandar said he hoped a final decision could be made this year.
Grab submitted its written representation on Dec 30, 2019, he said.
The commission has also proposed a daily penalty of RM15,000 against the e-hailing firm from Oct 3, 2019, if Grab is found to have abused its dominant position by imposing some restrictive clauses on its drivers. – Jan 9, 2020 Bernama
