Latest news with #Tarmizi
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
United effort for MSME competitiveness
KUALA LUMPUR: Wawasan Institute of Policy Excellence (Wawasan) has urged for a more constructive and collaborative approach to discussions surrounding Malaysia's digital commerce landscape. At a time when local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face mounting competition, platforms that actively invest in enabling seller success must be recognised and supported. Rather than focusing narrowly on pricing debates, Wawasan believes attention should be placed on how digital platforms are empowering Malaysian MSMEs by offering access to training, AI-powered analytics, performance insights and trusted delivery and transaction systems. Tarmizi Anuwar, founding director of Wawasan said: "We need to move away from a binary framing of sellers versus platforms. "In reality, both are deeply interconnected and so are their futures. A strong digital economy is only possible when sellers, buyers, and platforms work together to build trust, efficiency and growth." Wawasan said some platforms in Malaysia have made significant investments to strengthen the seller ecosystem. For instance, widely available seller education programmes such as free online classes and master classes on campaign participation, digital marketing and content creation have helped many small businesses upskill and stay competitive. Real-time tools that provide data on product performance, buyer demographics and market trends also help sellers optimise their listings and pricing more effectively. In addition, improvements in logistics infrastructure, such as same-day or next-day delivery options and self-collection at pickup points, have become increasingly common. These services not only benefit consumers, but also directly improve order completion rates and reduce cancellations for sellers. Many platforms also offer built-in buyer protection and return mechanisms, which reinforce consumer trust and in turn drive repeat purchases, ultimately benefitting seller performance. "These features aren't just technical upgrades; they're strategic investments into seller success. "Every ringgit spent improving logistics or buyer confidence helps sellers secure more loyal customers," Tarmizi said. As Malaysia continues to pursue its MyDigital agenda, Wawasan believes platforms that prioritise local MSME development should be part of the national strategy. These are not just online marketplaces, they are digital infrastructure partners helping entrepreneurs grow sustainably. Wawasan cautioned that as international players continue to enter the Southeast Asian market, Malaysian MSMEs will face increasing price pressure. Undermining the local platforms that support sellers could leave small businesses more vulnerable to undercutting by foreign competitors offering low-cost goods without reinvesting in the local economy. "We need to recognise that Malaysia's MSMEs don't just need a place to sell, they need partners that help them grow, compete and scale. "When platforms provide the tools, infrastructure, and insights to do this, it benefits not just the seller, but the whole economy," Tarmizi said.
Focus Malaysia
23-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Sellers, buyers and platforms must work together to keep Malaysia's MSMEs competitive
THE Wawasan Institute for Policy Excellence (Wawasan) is urging for a more constructive and collaborative approach to discussions surrounding Malaysia's digital commerce landscape. At a time when local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face mounting competition, platforms that actively invest in enabling seller success must be recognised and supported. Rather than focusing narrowly on pricing debates, Wawasan believes attention should be placed on how digital platforms are empowering Malaysian MSMEs by offering access to training, AI-powered analytics, performance insights, and trusted delivery and transaction systems. 'We need to move away from a binary framing of sellers versus platforms. In reality, both are deeply interconnected and so are their futures,' said Wawasan founding director Tarmizi Anuwar. 'A strong digital economy is only possible when sellers, buyers, and platforms work together to build trust, efficiency and growth.' Wawasan noted that some platforms in Malaysia have made significant investments to strengthen the seller ecosystem. For instance, widely available seller education programmes such as free online classes and masterclasses on campaign participation, digital marketing, and content creation have helped many small businesses upskill and stay competitive. Real-time tools that provide data on product performance, buyer demographics, and market trends also help sellers optimise their listings and pricing more effectively. In addition, improvements in logistics infrastructure, such as same-day or next-day delivery options and self-collection at pickup points, have become increasingly common. These services not only benefit consumers, but also directly improve order completion rates and reduce cancellations for sellers. Many platforms also offer built-in buyer protection and return mechanisms, which reinforce consumer trust and in turn drive repeat purchases, ultimately benefitting seller performance. 'These features aren't just technical upgrades; they're strategic investments into seller success. Every ringgit spent improving logistics or buyer confidence helps sellers secure more loyal customers,' added Tarmizi. As Malaysia continues to pursue its MyDigital agenda, Wawasan believes platforms that prioritise local MSME development should be part of the national strategy. These are not just online marketplaces, they are digital infrastructure partners helping entrepreneurs grow sustainably. Wawasan also warned that as international players continue to enter the Southeast Asian market, Malaysian MSMEs will face increasing price pressure. Undermining the local platforms that support sellers could leave small businesses more vulnerable to undercutting by foreign competitors offering low-cost goods without reinvesting in the local economy. 'We need to recognise that Malaysia's MSMEs don't just need a place to sell, they need partners that help them grow, compete and scale,' Tarmizi pointed out. 'When platforms provide the tools, infrastructure, and insights to do this, it benefits not just the seller, but the whole economy.' Wawasan concluded by calling for open dialogue and partnership between government, platforms, and seller associations to build a resilient, inclusive and competitive e-commerce landscape. 'The health of our digital economy depends on how well we collaborate. When platforms succeed in lifting sellers, we all win. That's the spirit Malaysia must move forward with,' concluded Tarmizi. ‒ July 23, 2025 Image: Shutterstock
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
‘Empower MSMEs in digital commerce'
KUALA LUMPUR: The Wawasan Institute for Policy Excellence (Wawasan) is urging a more con-structive and collaborative approach to discussions surrounding Malaysia's digital commerce landscape. The association said that at a time when local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face mounting competition, platforms that actively invest in enabling seller success must be recognised and supported. Rather than focusing narrowly on pricing debates, Wawasan believes attention should be placed on how digital platforms are empowering Malaysian MSMEs by offering access to training, AI-powered analytics, performance insights, and trusted delivery and transaction systems. 'We need to move away from a binary framing of sellers versus platforms. In reality, both are deeply interconnected, and so are their futures,' Wawasan founding director Tarmizi Anuwar said in a statement. He said a strong digital economy is only possible when sellers, buyers, and platforms work together to build trust, efficiency and growth. Wawasan noted that some platforms in Malaysia have made significant investments to strengthen the seller ecosystem. For instance, widely available seller education programmes such as free online classes and masterclasses on campaign participation, digital marketing, and content creation have helped many small businesses upskill and stay competitive. Real-time tools that provide data on product performance, buyer demographics, and market trends also help sellers optimise their listings and pricing more effectively. Additionally, improvements in logistics infrastructure such as same-day or next-day delivery options and self-collection at designated pickup points, have become increasingly common. These services not only benefit consumers but also directly improve order completion rates and reduce cancellations for sellers. Many platforms also offer built-in buyer protection and return mechanisms, which reinforce consumer trust and, in turn, drive repeat purchases, ultimately benefiting seller performance. 'These features aren't just technical upgrades; they're strategic investments into seller success. 'Every ringgit spent improving logistics or buyer confidence helps sellers secure more loyal customers,' added Tarmizi. As Malaysia continues to pursue its MyDigital agenda, Wawasan believes that platforms prioritising local MSME development should be part of the national strategy. These are not just online marketplaces, but digital infrastructure partners that help entrepreneurs grow sustainably. Wawasan also warned that as international players continue to enter the Southeast Asian market, Malaysian MSMEs will face increasing price pressure. Undermining the local platforms that support sellers could leave small businesses more vulnerable to undercutting by foreign competitors offering low-cost goods without reinvesting in the local economy. 'We need to recognise that Malaysia's MSMEs don't just need a place to sell, they need partners that help them grow, compete and scale. 'When platforms offer the tools, infrastructure, and insights to do this, it benefits not just the seller, but the whole economy,' added Tarmizi. Wawasan concluded by calling for open dialogue and partnership among the government, platforms, and seller associations to build a resilient, inclusive, and competitive e-commerce landscape. 'The health of our digital economy depends on how well we collaborate. When platforms succeed in lifting sellers, we all win. That's the spirit Malaysia must move forward with,' Tarmizi said.
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
CCC supports medicine price transparency but urges regulatory caution
KUALA LUMPUR: The Consumer Choice Centre (CCC) Malaysia has voiced its support for the government's move to mandate the display of service and medication prices at private health clinics and community pharmacies, highlighting it as a step toward greater transparency, consumer protection, and informed decision-making. CCC representative Tarmizi Anuwar said the requirement would empower consumers to compare prices easily, fostering competition among healthcare providers and encouraging fairer pricing without compromising service quality. "When prices are displayed openly, consumers are no longer left in uncertainty. They can make better-informed decisions and avoid hidden charges," he said. Beginning May 1, 2025, all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies in Malaysia will be required to display the prices of all medicines clearly—either through visible price tags on shelves for publicly accessible products or via a comprehensive price list for items stored behind the counter. In a joint statement, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living said the regulation applies to all private healthcare providers governed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) that sell, supply, or administer medicines, as well as to all community pharmacies. The mandatory price labelling covers all medicines for human use, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, traditional remedies, health supplements, and extemporaneously prepared products. This requirement will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Medicine Price Labelling) Order 2025, introduced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723). Failure to comply could lead to fines of up to RM50,000 for individuals and RM100,000 for companies. While endorsing the move for transparency, Tarmizi raised concerns over the use of Act 723 as the governing legislation. He warned that applying this act—intended for essential goods—to the healthcare sector could lead to unintended consequences such as medicine shortages, reduced innovation, and declining service quality due to price pressures. Tarmizi recommended that the regulation be reviewed under the more relevant Act 586, which is better suited to address issues concerning private healthcare providers. "Controlling medicine prices through a price control order will stifle innovation and investment in the private healthcare sector and cause widespread shortages. In the long run, it is the consumers who will suffer — not through cheaper prices, but through deteriorating service quality," he explained. On the topic of consultation fees, Tarmizi emphasised that these fees should not be fixed by the government, whether as a minimum or maximum rate. Instead, he believes pricing should be determined by market forces, considering factors like service quality, doctor expertise, and location. Tarmizi said this market-based approach would encourage greater competition in the private sector, providing consumers with more choices and helping alleviate pressure on the public healthcare system by offering more service options and reducing waiting times. "CCC supports a market-based public health approach that emphasises transparency, consumer choice, and healthy competition. Price transparency is essential, but it must be implemented within the appropriate legal framework to avoid compromising access, quality, and investment in the private healthcare sector."
