KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has frozen the issuance of new courier licences for two years from September 14 this year until September 15, 2022.
MCMC, in a statement today, said this was to allow the government and the postal and courier players to make new plans to strengthen the sector which faces various challenges due to technological changes and market trends.
The move is also in line with the call by the Association of Malaysian Express Carriers representing 25 major courier companies in Malaysia including Pos Malaysia Bhd, GD Express Sdn Bhd and City-Link Express (M) Sdn Bhd.
According to MCMC, as of October 2020, there were 109 multi-category courier service licensees operating in Malaysia.
The move is implemented through the licencing powers under the Postal Services Act 2012 and it can be revised at anytime if the need arises.
MCMC said the drafting of an action plan would be implemented through a National Postal and Courier Industry Lab between November 2 and 22, 2020, and was subject to the conditional Movement Control Order situation.
The report from the lab will contain action plans to support the strategic development for postal and courier industry and will be published on MCMC's website for the public to view.