KPDN To Review Proposal To Upgrade Enforcement Division To Department

CYBERJAYA, April 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is currently reviewing a proposal to upgrade the ministry's Enforcement Division to a department in order to strengthen enforcement capabilities and optimise enforcement functions across ministries.

Its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said that the proposal for empowerment had been discussed at the Cabinet level, which among other things recognised the need to enhance the capacity and capability of KPDN enforcement in line with current challenges.

He said the government sees no need to establish enforcement units in all ministries; instead, certain enforcement functions can be coordinated and implemented by the KPDN Enforcement Division, which has expertise in the field of domestic trade.

"The government sees no need to establish enforcement units in all ministries. Taking into account the responsibilities of KPDN related to domestic trade, it would be better for the small enforcement functions in other ministries to be coordinated and implemented by the KPDN Enforcement Division," he said.

Armizan said that the approach could, among other things, improve operational efficiency and optimise the use of human resources in the public sector.

He said this to reporters after attending the 54th KPDN Enforcement Day Celebration and the launch of the National Consumer Policy 2.0 by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here today.

Meanwhile, Armizan said the proposal to upgrade the KPDN Enforcement Division to a department is currently being studied with central agencies, including the Public Service Department (JPA), taking into account the government's current policy on human resource optimisation.

He said that the empowerment of the enforcement division needs to be implemented immediately considering the increasing cases related to digital trade that are becoming more significant.

"The increase in cases in e-commerce has become one of the important components that will be the core of the KPDN enforcement team," he said.

In this regard, Armizan said the ministry plans to introduce a new bill or amend the existing Electronic Commerce Act to strengthen the legal framework related to digital transactions.

According to him, the amendment is expected to be presented at the next parliamentary session, and its implementation requires a stronger enforcement structure to ensure the law can be effectively enforced.

Armizan said that changes in the trade landscape, including the increase in cases related to online transactions, price manipulation, and subsidy misappropriation, demand a restructuring and enhancement of the ministry's enforcement capabilities.

He said that since the establishment of the enforcement team in 1972, which started with only 12 members and two acts under supervision, the team's responsibilities have now expanded to encompass various new issues in the modern trade chain.

"If previously the focus was on the issue of hoarding controlled goods, today the scope is much broader, encompassing online transaction manipulation, price manipulation, subsidy leakage and various violations of trade laws," he said.

Armizan said the ministry also emphasises a new approach that not only focuses on enforcement alone but also positions officers as "enforcer educators," meaning enforcers who also play a role as educators to the community.

He also said that the empowerment of enforcement teams involves enhancing competencies, the use of technology, intelligence capabilities, investigation and prosecution, as well as strengthening strategic cooperation with various agencies.

In related developments, Armizan said the government has implemented various intervention measures, including continuing the RON95 petrol subsidy to help the people maintain their purchasing power following the West Asia conflict, which has affected global prices and supply.

He added that the fuel subsidy expenditure increased significantly from around RM700 million per month in January 2026 to over RM6 billion per month during the crisis, equivalent to about RM200 million per day.

-- BERNAMA