An Act to provide for and to regulate the converging communications and multimedia industries, and for incidental matters.

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

1. This Act may be cited as the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

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.

3. (1) 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 powers and procedures for the administration of this Act.

(2) 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.

4. (1) This Act and its subsidiary legislation apply both within and outside Malaysia.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), 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 or will provide 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.

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.

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 153;

"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 152;

"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 164;

"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;

"authorised interception" means interception by the licensee of any network facilities, network service or applications service permitted under section 265;

"authorised officer" means any public officer or officer appointed by the Commission and authorised in writing by the Commission for the purposes of this Act;

"certifying agency" means a certifying agency registered under section 186;

"class assignment" means an assignment issued under section 169;

"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 1998;

"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 network facilities;

"consumer code" means a voluntary industry code prepared under Chapter 1 of Part VIII;

"consumer forum" means a forum designated under section 189;

"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 2 of Part IX;

"content forum" means a forum designated under section 212;

"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 13;

"determination" means a determination made by the Minister under section 10, or by the Commission under section 55;

"direction" means a direction issued by the Minister under section 7, or by the Commission under section 51;

"director" has the meaning given to it in the Companies Act 1965;

"disaster plan" means a disaster plan which may be developed in accordance with section 267;

"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 10;

"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 265;

"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 10;

"mail" includes the postal service;

"mandatory standard" means a mandatory standard established under Chapter 10 of Part V;

"Minister" means the Minister for the time being charged with the responsibility for communications and multimedia;

"multimedia information and content" means digitised content;

"network boundary" means the network boundary provided under section 128;

"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 is an owner of any network facilities;

"network service" means a service for carrying communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic radiation;

"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 180;

"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 210, or any other relevant section;

"required applications service" means an applications service which is in a list determined by the Minister under section 192;

"spectrum" means the continuous range of electromagnetic wave frequencies up to and including a frequency of 420 terahertz;

"spectrum assignment" means the assignment issued under section 159;

"spectrum plan" means the spectrum plan developed under section 172;

"technical code" means a voluntary industry code prepared under Chapter 3 of Part VII;

"technical standards forum" means a forum designated under section 184;

"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 1

Ministerial Direction

7. (1) The Minister may, from time to time, issue directions to the Commission on the exercise of the CommissionÕs powers and the performance of the CommissionÕs functions and duties under this Act, whether of a general character or otherwise.

(2) 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.

8. (1) The Minister may at any time modify, vary or revoke a direction.

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

9. The Commission shall maintain a register of all directions issued by the Minister in accordance with Chapter 6 of Part V.

Chapter 2

Ministerial Determination

10. (1) The Minister may, from time to time, determine any matter specified in this Act as being subject to Ministerial determination, without consultation with licensees or persons.

(2) 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.

11. (1) The Minister may at any time modify, vary or revoke a determination.

(2) The procedure set out in section 10 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of any modification, variation or revocation of a determination.

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

13. (1) 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.

(2) 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 (2), 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 (2) 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.

(10) Every declaration shall be registered by the Commission as soon as practicable.

(11) A declaration other than a declaration under subsection (2) shall come into operation on the date of registration or such later date as the Minister may specify in the instrument.

(12) 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.

14. (1) The Minister may at any time modify, vary or revoke a declaration regarding a licence.

(2) The procedure set out in section 13 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of any modification, variation or revocation of a declaration.

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

16. (1) 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 authorisations, 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 and 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.

(2) The regulations made under subsection (1), 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.

Part â…¢

APPEAL TRIBUNAL

17. (1) 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 CommissionÕs functions, or in the public interest.

(2) 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.

18. (1) 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.

(2) Any decision by the Appeal Tribunal is final and binding on the parties to the appeal and is not subject to further appeal.

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.

20. (1) 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 26; or

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

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

21. (1) 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.

(2) The Minister shall appoint a person in accordance with section 17 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 17 to act as the Chairman, or any other memberÑ

(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.

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.

23. The decision of the Appeal Tribunal, on any matter, shall be decided on a majority of votes of the members.

24. The Minister may determine, in accordance with section 10, and 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.

25. The Minister may, at his discretion, suspend any member of the Appeal Tribunal on the ground of misbehaviour or incapacity.

26. (1) 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.

(2) 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 20 or 25.

Part IV

LICENCES

Chapter 1

Individual Licence

27. (1) Subject to subsection (2), 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.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister may set out in the regulations made under section 16 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.

28. (1) 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.

(2) If any additional information or document required under subsection (1) 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.

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.

30. (1) The Minister shall have due regard to the recommendation of the Commission given under section 29 before making a decision.

(2) 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 (2), 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 13.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (2), all individual licences shall be deemed to include the relevant standard licence conditions specified in the Schedule.

(5) The individual licence granted under subsection (2) 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 determined by the Minister, shall be payable upon the approval of the application.

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.

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.

33. (1) The Minister may, at any time, by declaration in accordance with section 13 -

(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 additional conditions to an existing individual licence.

(2) The procedures set out in section 13 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the modification, variation, or revocation of a licence condition under this section.

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

(2) The renewal fee, to be determined 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 any 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.

35. (1) 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.

(2) The surrender shall take effect on the date the Commission receives the individual licence and the notice under subsection (1), 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.

36. (1) The grant of an individual licence shall be personal to the licensee and the individual licence shall not be assigned, sub-licensed or transferred to any other party unless the prior written approval of the Minister has been granted.

(2) The Minister may seek the advice of the Commission before granting an approval under subsection (1).

37. The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, by declaration in accordance with section 13, 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.

38. (1) The Minister may, by declaration in accordance with section 13, suspend or cancel an individual licence granted under this Part in any one of the circumstances set out in section 37.

(2) The procedures set out in section 13 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the suspension or cancellation of an individual licence under this section.

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.

40. (1) 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.

(2) 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.

41. (1) 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.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, authorise the licensee in writing to carry on providing any facility or service for such duration as the Minister may specify in the authorisation for the purpose of winding up the licensee's affairs.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), 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 (2) and (3), a person who contravenes subsection (1) 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.

42. (1) 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.

(2) 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 (1)(b) to (f).

(4) The Commission shall maintain the registers in accordance with Chapter 6 of Part V.

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

(2) 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 16 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 (1), 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 2

Class Licence

44. (1) The Minister may grant a class licence in respect of any matter requiring a licence under this Act.

(2) A class licence granted under subsection (1) 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.

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

(2) 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.

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.

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.

48. (1) The Minister may, by declaration in accordance with section 13, cancel the registration of a person under this Part according to the recommendation of the Commission made under section 47. (2) 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.

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.

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 MALAYSIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MULTIMEDIA COMMISSION

Chapter 1

Directions

51. (1) 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.

(2) Before issuing a direction under subsection (1), 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 (1) 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 Chapter shall be registered as soon as practicable.

(9) The direction shall be effective from the date of registration or such later date as the Commission may specify.

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

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 revocation of a direction.

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

54. The Commission shall maintain a register of all directions issued by the Commission, including any written instruments modifying, varying or revoking a direction, in accordance with Chapter 6 of this Part.

Chapter 2

Determination

55. (1) The Commission may, from time to time, determine any matter specified in this Act as being subject to the CommissionÕs determination.

(2) The Commission may conduct an inquiry to decide whether a 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 not conduct an inquiry unless it is satisfied that the matter is of significant interest to either the public or to current or prospective licensees under this Act.

(4) An inquiry shall be carried out in accordance with Chapter 3 of this Part, and at a standard and in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Act and its subsidiary legislation and any instrument 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 consistent with the objects of, and any requirements provided in, this Act which are relevant to the particular matter or activity.

(7) A determination made by the Commission under this Chapter shall be registered as soon as practicable.

(8) A determination shall come into force on the date of registration or such later date as the Commission may specify.

(9) A determination shall expire on such date as the Commission may specify or, if no date is specified, the determination shall be in force until the determination is revoked.

56. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission may modify, vary or revoke a determination, in response to a written 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 revocation of the determination.

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

Chapter 3

Inquiry

58. (1) The Commission shall, in response to a Ministerial direction, hold a public inquiry on any matter of a general nature which relates to the administration of this Act or its subsidiary legislation 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 to either the public or to current or prospective licensees under this Act.

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

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

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

61. (1) Subject to section 62, if the Commission decides to hold a public inquiry or is directed to hold a public inquiry, the Commission 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, and the form in which, members of the public are invited to 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 may be sent.

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

(3) The Commission shall consider any submissions received within the time limit as specified in the notice.

(4) The submissions made by the members of the public shall be in the form and of the nature as specified in the notice.

62. Notwithstanding section 61, an inquiry or a part of an inquiry may be conducted in private if the Commission is satisfied that -

(a) the documents or information that may be given, or a matter that may arise during the inquiry or a part of the inquiry, is of a confidential nature; or

(b) an inquiry or part of an inquiry of a matter, or part of a matter, in public would not be conducive to the due administration of this Act.

63. (1) If an inquiry takes place in public and the Commission is of the opinion that -

(a) the evidence or other material presented to the inquiry; or

(b) the material in written submissions lodged with the Commission,

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 comply with a direction under subsection (1).

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 be present at the inquiry or part of the inquiry; and

(b) may give a direction restricting the disclosure of evidence or other material presented at the inquiry or part of the inquiry.

(2) Notwithstanding section 53, a person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a direction given under subsection (1) commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.

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

(2) The Commission shall publish the report within thirty days of 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 trial of a person;

(c) which would involve the unreasonable disclosure of personal information about any individual (including a deceased individual); or

(d) that is the subject of a direction under section 63 or 64.

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

(a) the making of a request under section 58;

(b) the making of a statement, or giving of a document or information, to the Commission in relation to an inquiry under this Chapter.

67. The Commission shall maintain a register of all reports made pursuant to an inquiry under this Chapter, in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 6 of this Part.

Chapter 4

Investigation For Purposes Of Administration,

Inquiry, Etc.

68. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, the Commission shall investigate any matter pertaining to the administration 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 have been or may be committed; or

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

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

(2) The complaint shall specify the person against whom the complaint 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 complaint or to reduce it into writing,

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

(4) If a complaint has been made to the Commission under this section, the Commission may make inquiries of the respondent for the purpose of deciding -

(a) whether the Commission has power to investigate the matter to which the complaint relates; or

(b) whether the Commission should, in its discretion, investigate the matter.

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

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

(2) An investigation under this Part is to be conducted as the Commission 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 complainant or a respondent to be given an opportunity to appear before the Commission 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 respondent unless it has given the complainant or respondent an opportunity to make submissions about a matter to which the investigation relates within a time period of not less than thirty days.

(6) The Commission shall consider the submissions made by the complainant or the respondent under subsection (5) before making its decision.

71. (1) After concluding an investigation, the Commission may prepare 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 result of the investigation;

(c) the evidence and other material on which those findings were based; and

(d) such other matters relating to, or arising out of, the investigation as the Commission thinks fit or as the Minister directs.

72. The Minister may direct the Commission to publish a report of an investigation if the Minister is satisfied that the publication would be in the national interest.

Chapter 5

Information-gathering Powers

73. (1) This section applies to any person if the Commission has reason to believe that the person -

(a) has any information (including but not limited to accounts and records) or any document that is relevant to the performance of the Commission's powers and functions under this Act or its subsidiary legislation; or

(b) is capable of giving any evidence which the Commission has reason to believe is relevant to the performance of the Commission's powers and functions under this Act or 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 the manner and form specified in the notice, any such information;

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

(c) to make copies of any such documents and to produce those copies to the Commission within the period and in the manner specified in the notice;

(d) if the person is an individual, to appear, at a private hearing, before the Commission at a time and place specified in the notice to give any such evidence, either orally or in writing, and produce any such documents, whether in a physical form or in electronic media;

(e) if the person is a body corporate or a public body, to cause a competent officer of the body to appear, at a private hearing, before the Commission at a time and place specified in the notice to give any such evidence, either orally or in writing, and produce any such documents, whether in a physical form or in electronic media; or

(f) if the person is a partnership, to cause an individual who is a partner in the partnership or an employee of the partnership to appear, at a private hearing, before the Commission at a time and place specified in the notice to give any such evidence, either orally or in writing, and produce any such documents, whether in a physical form or in electronic media.

(3) The Commission shall allow the person so directed under subsection (2) a reasonable time to give and to produce any information and/or documents specified in the notice.

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

74. Notwithstanding section 53, a person who fails to comply with a direction of the Commission under this Chapter commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.

75. Notwithstanding section 53, a person who fails to disclose or omits to give any relevant information or evidence or document, or provides information or evidence or document that he knows or has reason to believe is false or misleading, in response to a direction issued by the Commission commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit.

76. (1) A person shall, if at any time called upon in writing by the Commission to do so, produce to the Commission all such evidence and provide all such information as the person may have relating to his compliance with any of the provisions of this Act or its subsidiary legislation, as the Commission may generally, or in relation to any particular case, require.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not affect any other power conferred on the Commission under this Act.

77. (1) The Commission may take, and retain for as long as is necessary, possession of a document produced under this Chapter.

(2) The person otherwise entitled to possession of the document is entitled to be supplied, as soon as practicable, with a copy certified by the Commission to be a true copy.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, the certified copy shall be received by all courts and tribunals as evidence as if it were the original.

(4) Until a certified copy is supplied, the Commission shall, at such times and places as the Commission thinks appropriate, permit the person otherwise entitled to possession of the document, or a person authorised by that person, to inspect and make copies of, or take extracts from, the document.

78. A person shall not, in purported compliance with a requirement imposed by the record-keeping rules made under section 268, make a record of any matter or thing in such manner that it does not correctly record the matter or thing.

79. (1) The Commission shall maintain a record of all information, evidence or documents received pursuant to the directions given under subsection 73(2).

(2) The record shall be made available to the public.

80. (1) The Commission may publish information received in the course of exercising its powers and functions under this Chapter if it is satisfied that the publication is consistent with the objects of this Act.

(2) The Commission shall consider the commercial interest of the parties to whom the information relates before publishing the information.

Chapter 6

Register

81. (1) The Commission shall maintain a register, in both physical and electronic form, of all matters which are required to be registered under this Act and its subsidiary legislation.

(2) A person may, on payment of the charge (if any) to be decided by the Commission -

(a) inspect the register; and

(b) make a copy of, or take extracts from, the register.

(3) If a person requests that a copy be provided in an electronic form, the Commission may provide the relevant information -

(a) on a data processing device; or

(b) by way of electronic transmission.

Chapter 7

Notification And Resolution Of Disputes

82. (1) A dispute between two or more persons ("the parties") regarding any matter under this Act or its subsidiary legislation shall first be attempted to be resolved by negotiation between the parties.

(2) If one of the parties to the dispute has provided an undertaking which is relevant to the subject-matter of the dispute and the undertaking has been registered by the Commission in accordance with Chapter 11 of this Part, the parties may adopt the conditions of the undertaking for the purposes of resolving the dispute.

(3) If the parties to the dispute cannot or otherwise fail to reach an agreement, and no relevant undertaking has been registered, or if one of the parties to the dispute does not wish to adopt the conditions of the undertaking, the parties may seek resolution of the dispute by the Commission, if this Act or its subsidiary legislation expressly provides for such resolution.

83. A party to a dispute may, in writing, notify the Commission of the dispute.

84. Subject to section 83, the Commission may only resolve a dispute under this Chapter if it is notified in writing of the dispute.

85. The Commission may publish guidelines setting out the principles and procedures which it may take into account in resolving disputes or a class of disputes under this Chapter.

86. (1) Upon receipt of the notification of the dispute referred to in section 83, the Commission shall, as soon as practicable, convene to decide the dispute.

(2) The Commission shall be bound under subsection (1) to convene to decide a dispute if it is satisfied that -

(a) an agreement will not be reached, or will not be reached within a reasonable time;

(b) the notification of the dispute is not trivial, frivolous or vexatious; and

(c) the resolution of the dispute would promote the objects of this Act.

(3) Subject to the objects of this Act and any guidelines issued by the Commission under this Chapter, the Commission may resolve the dispute upon such terms and conditions as it may deem fit.

87. (1) The terms and conditions of any resolution of a dispute by the Commission under this Chapter shall be accompanied with reasons and be in writing.

(2) The Commission shall provide the parties to the dispute with a copy of its decision as soon as practicable.

(3) The decision of the Commission shall be binding on the parties.

88. (1) The Commission shall register all decisions it makes under this Chapter, in accordance with Chapter 6 of this Part.

(2) The register shall contain -

(a) the names of the parties to the dispute;

(b) a general description of the matter pertaining to the decision; and

(c) the date of the decision,

but not the terms and conditions of the decision.

89. (1) The Commission may direct a party to a dispute to abide by the decision of the Commission in that dispute.

(2) A decision made by the Commission under this Chapter may be enforced by the High Court as if the decision was a judgement of such Court provided that a certificate has been issued by the Commission to the complainant for leave to proceed to the Court for the enforcement of the decision except in the case of an injunction.

(3) No certificate is required if an action is taken by the Commission under this section.

Chapter 8

Registration Of Agreements

90. The parties to a written agreement shall apply to the Commission for the registration of the agreement, if this Act requires such registration.

91. The Commission shall register the written agreement if the Commission is satisfied that the agreement is consistent with -

(a) the objects of this Act;

(b) any relevant instrument under this Act; and

(c) any relevant provisions of this Act or its subsidiary legislation.

92. (1) An agreement, which is required to be registered under this Act, shall only be valid and enforceable upon its registration.

(2) The Commission may direct any party to a registered agreement to comply with the registered agreement.

(3) A direction made by the Commission in respect of a registered agreement may be enforced by the High Court as if the direction is a judgement of such Court provided that a certificate has been issued by the Commission to the complainant for leave to proceed to the Court for the enforcement of the direction except in the case of an injunction.

(4) No certificate is required if an action is taken by the Commission under this section.

93. (1) The Commission shall maintain a register of all agreements required to be registered under this Act, in accordance with Chapter 6 of this Part.

(2) The register shall contain -

(a) the names of the parties to the agreement;

(b) a general description of the matter pertaining to the agreement; and

(c) the date of the agreement,

but not the terms and conditions of the agreement.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), a copy of the agreement shall be deposited with the Commission.

Chapter 9

Voluntary Industry Codes

94. (1) The Commission may designate an industry body to be an industry forum for the purposes of this Act by notifying that body in writing, if the Commission is satisfied that -

(a) the membership of the body is open to all relevant parties;

(b) the body is capable of performing as required under the relevant provisions of this Act; and

(c) the body has a written constitution.

(2) The body shall agree in writing to be an industry forum before the designation may be registered.

(3) The Commission may decide that an existing industry body that was previously designated under subsection (1) to be an industry forum is no longer an industry forum for the purposes of this Act, if the Commission is satisfied that the body no longer meets the requirements set out in subsection (1).

(4) A designation or withdrawal of designation under this section shall take effect from the date of registration, or a later date specified.

95. (1) An industry forum may prepare a voluntary industry code dealing with any matter provided for in this Act -

(a) on its own initiative; or

(b) upon request by the Commission.

(2) The voluntary industry code shall not be effective until it is registered by the Commission.

(3) The Commission may refuse registration of the voluntary industry code, under subsection (1), if the Commission is not satisfied that sufficient opportunity for public consultation has occurred in the development of the voluntary industry code by the industry forum.

(4) The Commission shall register a voluntary industry code if it is consistent with -

(a) the objects of this Act;

(b) any relevant instrument under this Act; and

(c) any provisions of this Act which are relevant to the particular matter or activity.

(5) The Commission shall either register or refuse registration of a voluntary industry code.

(6) If registration of a voluntary industry code is refused, then the Commission shall notify the relevant industry forum of its decision in writing and provide the reasons for it.

(7) If the Commission neither registers nor refuses to register a voluntary industry code within a period of thirty days from the date that the voluntary industry code was submitted for registration, the Commission is deemed to have refused the registration of the voluntary industry code unless the industry forum receives a written notice of registration of the voluntary industry code after that period.

96. (1) The Commission may determine a voluntary industry code, in accordance with section 55, if -

(a) a voluntary industry code is not developed under an applicable section of this Act; and

(b) the Commission is satisfied that a voluntary industry code is unlikely to be developed by the relevant industry forum within a reasonable time.

(2) The voluntary industry code formulated by the Commission under subsection (1) shall be registered.

(3) The voluntary industry code shall only take effect upon registration.

97. (1) The Commission shall ensure that there is only one voluntary industry code in operation that is applicable to a particular matter for a particular person or class of persons at a given time.

(2) If there is any uncertainty or ambiguity, a person may apply to the Commission for its opinion on which voluntary industry code is the applicable code in relation to the circumstances of the applicant.

(3) The Commission shall provide its opinion within thirty days from the date of receipt of the application.

(4) The Commission shall take into account any relevant Ministerial guidelines and any relevant previous opinions.

(5) The opinion shall be binding on the Commission and the applicant for a period of three years from the date that the opinion is provided under subsection (3).

(6) The Commission shall maintain a register of opinions provided under this section, in accordance with Chapter 6 of this Part.

(7) Notwithstanding subsection (5), the Commission may withdraw an opinion under this section if the Commission is satisfied that the nature of the activity engaged in by the applicant has changed materially.

98. (1) Subject to section 99, compliance with a registered voluntary industry code shall not be mandatory.

(2) Compliance with a registered voluntary industry code shall be a defence against any prosecution, action or proceeding of any nature, whether in a court or otherwise, taken against a person (who is subject to the voluntary industry code) regarding a matter dealt with in that code.

99. The Commission may direct a person or a class of persons, in accordance with section 51, to comply with a registered voluntary industry code.

100. (1) Notwithstanding section 53, a person who fails to comply with a direction of the Commission that the person complies with any provision of a voluntary industry code shall be liable to pay to the Commission a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand ringgit.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, the fine payable under this section may, without prejudice to any other remedy or sanction, be recoverable as a civil debt.

101. The Commission may determine the revocation of a voluntary industry code, in accordance with section 55, if it is satisfied that the voluntary industry code is no longer consistent with all the matters listed in paragraphs 95(4)(a), (b) and (c).

102. (1) An industry forum may submit a new voluntary industry code to replace an existing voluntary industry code for that industry.

(2) The submission of the new code shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter.

(3) If an industry forum submits a new voluntary industry code to the Commission which deals with the same matter as an existing registered code, the existing registered code is taken to be invalid to the extent of any conflict with the new code at the time that the new code is registered under section 95.

103. The Commission shall maintain a register of all current voluntary industry codes, in accordance with Chapter 6 of this Part.

Chapter 10

Mandatory Standards

104. The Commission may determine a mandatory standard for any matter which may be the subject matter of a voluntary industry code if the Commission is satisfied that the voluntary industry code has failed, and will continue to fail, to promote industry conduct which is consistent with -

(a) the objects of this Act;

(b) any relevant instrument under this Act; or

(c) any relevant provisions of this Act or its subsidiary legislation.

(2) The Commission shall determine a mandatory standard if it is subject to a direction from the Minister to determine a mandatory standard in place of a voluntary industry code.

(3) A Ministerial direction, to determine a mandatory standard, may include reference to -

(a) matters which shall be dealt with in the mandatory standard; and

(b) the manner in which those matters are to be dealt with.

(4) The determination of the Commission under this section shall be in accordance with section 55.

105. (1) A mandatory standard determined by the Commission under this Chapter shall be consistent with -

(a) the objects of this Act;

(b) any relevant instrument under this Act; or

(c) any relevant provisions of this Act or its subsidiary legislation.

(2) A mandatory standard determined by the Commission under subsection (1) shall specify the class of licensees who are subject to the mandatory standard.

(3) A person subject to a mandatory standard shall comply with the mandatory standard.

Part VI

ECONOMIC REGULATION

Chapter 1

Licensing

126. (1) Subject to such exemptions as may be determined by the Minister by order published in the Gazette, no person shall -

(a) own or provide any network facilities;

(b) provide any network services; or

(c) provide any applications services,

except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of -

(aa) a valid individual licence granted under this Act; or

(bb) a class licence granted under this Act,

expressly authorising the ownership or provision of the facilities or services.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) 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 and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day or part of a day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

127. (1) The relevant standard conditions of a licence under this Part shall be in accordance with the Schedule.

(2) Any special or additional conditions of a licence may be declared by the Minister and included in the licence.

(3) A licensee under this Part shall not provide any facility or service except in accordance with the conditions of the licence granted to that licensee under this Part or the conditions of a class licence to which the licensee is subject.

128. (1) The Minister may determine the network boundary for the purposes of this Act.

(2) In the absence of such determination, the network boundary shall be -

(a) the first equipment socket in a private residence;

(b) the main distribution frame in a building; or

(c) a point agreed to by the customer and the network facilities provider.

(3) The ownership of any network facilities and the provision of any network services or applications services, solely on the customer side of the network boundary, are exempted from the provisions of this Part.

129. An applications service provider who is not subject to a class licence under section 126 shall be deemed to be exempted from the provisions of this Chapter, but not from the provisions of Part VII regarding technical regulation.

130. (1) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, determine that a licensed network facilities provider, other than the owner of any network facilities, be a nominated facilities provider for the network facilities for the purposes of this Act, if the Minister is satisfied that the nomination will not impede -

(a) the achievement of the objects of this Act; and

(b) the administration of this Act.

(2) Upon the determination of the nominated facilities provider under subsection (1), the owner shall then be deemed to be exempted from the provisions of this Chapter.

131. A person shall not operate under a class licence in respect of any network facilities or network service or applications service unless that person is registered by the Commission.

132. A licence obtained under this Chapter does not exempt any person from the obligation to obtain a licence under any other relevant section of this Act.

Chapter 2

General Competition Practices

133. A licensee shall not engage in any conduct which has the purpose of substantially lessening competition in a communications market.

134. (1) The Commission may publish guidelines which clarify the meaning of "substantial lessening of competition".

(2) The guidelines may include reference to -

(a) the relevant economic market;

(b) global trends in the relevant market;

(c) the impact of the conduct on the number of competitors in a market and their market shares;

(d) the impact of the conduct on barriers to entry into the market;

(e) the impact of the conduct on the range of services in the market;

(f) the impact of the conduct on the cost and profit structures in the market; and

(g) any other matters which the Commission is satisfied are relevant.

135. A licensee shall not enter into any understanding, agreement or arrangement, whether legally enforceable or not, which provides for -

(a) rate fixing;

(b) market sharing;

(c) boycott of a supplier of apparatus; or

(d) boycott of another competitor.

136. A licensee shall not, at any time or in any circumstances, make it a condition for the provision or supply of a product or service in a communications market that the person acquiring such product or service in the communications market is also required to acquire or not to acquire any other product or service either from himself or from another person.

137. The Commission may determine that a licensee is in a dominant position in a communications market.

138. (1) The Commission may publish guidelines which clarify how it will apply the test of "dominant position" to a licensee.

(2) The guidelines may specify the matters which the Commission may take into account, including -

(a) the relevant economic market;

(b) global technology and commercial trends affecting market power;

(c) the market share of the licensee;

(d) the licensee's power to make independent rate setting decisions;

(e) the degree of product or service differentiation and sales promotion in the market; and

(f) any other matters which the Commission is satisfied are relevant.

139. (1) The Commission may direct a licensee in a dominant position in a communications market to cease a conduct in that communications market which has, or may have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in any communications market, and to implement appropriate remedies.

(2) The Commission may only issue a direction under subsection (1) if the Commission is satisfied that the direction is consistent with -

(a) the objects of this Act; and

(b) any relevant instrument under this Act.

140. (1) A licensee may apply to the Commission, prior to engaging into any conduct which may be construed to have the purpose or the effect of substantially lessening competition in a communications market, for authorisation of the conduct.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, the Commission shall authorise the conduct if the Commission is satisfied that the authorisation is in the national interest.

(3) Before authorising the conduct, the Commission may require the licensee to submit an undertaking regarding his conduct in any matter relevant to the authorisation.

(4) If the licensee subsequently withdraws the undertaking, the authorisation shall be deemed never to have been given for the purposes of this Chapter.

(5) A licensee may withdraw an application made under subsection (1) at any time.

141. The Commission shall maintain a register of current authorisations of a conduct under this Chapter in accordance with Chapter 6 of Part V.

142. (1) The Commission or a person may seek an interim or interlocutory injunction against any conduct prohibited in this Chapter.

(2) A person shall obtain a certificate from the Commission for leave to proceed to the court for enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter except in the case of an injunction.

143. A person who contravenes any prohibition under this Chapter 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 and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day or part of a day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

144. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Minister may make rules, to be published in the Gazette, in respect of agreements between licensees, under this Act, and foreign network facilities providers and/or network service providers.

(2) The Minister shall only make the rules, under subsection (1), which are intended to prevent or mitigate -

(a) any conduct by foreign network facilities providers and/or network service providers which will, or is likely to lead to, a substantial lessening of competition in a communications market; or

(b) the misuse of market power in a communications market.

Chapter 3

Access To Services

145. (1) The list of facilities and services which may be included in the access list, as determined by the Commission under this Chapter, are -

(a) network facilities;

(b) network services; and

(c) other facilities and/or services which facilitate the provision of network services or applications services, including content applications services.

(2) The facilities or services listed in paragraph (1)(c) do not have to be owned or provided by the licensees under this Act.

146. Subject to subsection 147(2), the Commission may determine that -

(a) a network facility;

(b) a network service; or

(c) any other facilities and/or services which facilitate the provision of network services or applications services, including content applications services,

shall be included in or removed from the access list.

147. (1) The access forum may recommend to the Commission that -

(a) a network facility;

(b) a network service; or

(c) any other facilities and/or services which facilitate the provision of network services or applications services, including content applications services,

shall be included in or removed from the access list.

(2) The Commission shall determine that the recommended network facilities or class of network facilities or network service or class of network services be included in the access list, if it is satisfied that the access forum has consulted with persons who have an interest in the recommendation, and that the access forum was unanimous in supporting the recommendation.

(3) Notwithstanding Chapter 3 of Part V, the Commission is not required to conduct an inquiry before making a determination under section 55, if the determination relates to a recommendation made by the access forum under this section but nothing in this section shall prevent the Commission from conducting an inquiry if it deems it necessary.

148. The Commission shall maintain a register of -`

(a) network facilities;

(b) network services; and

(c) other facilities and/or services which facilitate the supply of network services or applications services, including content applications services,

included in the access list.

149. (1) Subject to such exemptions as may be determined by the Minister by order published in the Gazette, a network facilities provider and a network service provider shall provide access to their network facilities or network services listed in the access list to any other -

(a) network facilities provider;

(b) network service provider;

(c) applications service provider; or

(d) content applications service provider,

who makes a written request for access to such network facilities provider or network service provider on reasonable terms and conditions.

(2) The access provided by one provider ("the first provider") to another provider under subsection (1), shall be -

(a) of at least the same or more favourable technical standard and quality as the technical standard and quality provided on the first provider's network facilities or network services; and

(b) on an equitable and a non-discriminatory basis.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) 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.

150. (1) A written access agreement for the provision of listed network facilities or network services shall be registered with the Commission in accordance with section 91.

(2) No written access agreement for the provision of listed network facilities or network services shall be enforceable unless it has been registered.

151. (1) A party to a dispute over the compliance with the standard access obligation under section 149 may notify the Commission of the dispute under Chapter 7 of Part V.

(2) A party who is seeking to exercise his rights under the standard access obligations, or a party who has notified the Commission of the dispute under subsection (1), may, at any time, withdraw, in writing, the notification.

152. The Commission may designate a single industry body to be the access forum for the purposes of this Part.

153. (1) The Commission shall make a written request to the access forum to prepare an access code.

(2) An access code shall provide model terms and conditions for compliance with the standard access obligations.

(3) Matters which the access code may address include but are not limited to -

(a) the time frame and procedures for negotiations and the concluding of access agreements;

(b) rate methodologies;

(c) protection of intellectual property;

(d) protection of commercial information;

(e) provisioning of facilities; and

(f) sharing of technical information.

(4) The access code may provide for different terms and conditions for the different network facilities and network services listed in the access list.

154. The Commission shall not register an access code unless it is satisfied that the access code is consistent with the standard access obligations.

155. (1) A licensee may provide an access undertaking, in accordance with section 110.

(2) An access undertaking may specify more than one set of terms and conditions for access to a particular network facility or network service listed in the access list.

156. The Commission shall not register an undertaking, in accordance with its general powers in section 111, unless it is satisfied that the undertaking is consistent with the standard access obligations.

Part VII

Technical Regulation

Chapter 1

Spectrum Assignment

157. (1) Subject to such exemptions as may be determined by the Minister by order published in the Gazette, no person shall intentionally transmit in any part of the spectrum to provide a network service unless -

(a) the person holds a spectrum assignment issued under this Part;

(b) the person holds an apparatus assignment issued under this Part; or

(c) the use of the spectrum is subject to a class assignment issued by the Commission under this Part.

(2) A person who contravenes any prohibition under this Chapter 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.

158. The Minister may make regulations in relation to any matter under this Part.

159. (1) The Commission may issue a spectrum assignment which confers rights on a person to use one or more specified frequency bands for any purpose consistent with the assignment conditions.

(2) A spectrum assignment may be issued under this section only when the relevant frequency bands for spectrum assignment have been determined by the Minister.

160. A spectrum assignment shall not be issued unless it is consistent with the spectrum plan.

161. Except if the Commission decides that it is in the national interest that a spectrum assignment be issued to the existing assignment holder, the procedure for the reissue of a spectrum assignment shall be in accordance with sections 159 and 160.

162. A holder of a spectrum assignment may transfer to or otherwise deal with any or all of the rights assigned under section 159 with a third party only if it is in accordance with the provisions of section 163.

163. (1) The Minister may make rules, to be published in the Gazette, for the transfer of the rights of the holder of the spectrum assignment conferred by the spectrum assignment.

(2) The Commission may direct a holder of a spectrum assignment to comply with any rules made under this section.

164. (1) The Commission may issue an apparatus assignment which confers rights on a person to use the spectrum to operate a network facility of a specified kind at a specified frequency or in any specified frequency band or bands.

(2) An apparatus assignment issued under this section may be subject to such conditions as the Commission may impose.

165. An apparatus assignment shall not be issued unless it is consistent with the spectrum plan developed under this Part.

166. The Commission shall not issue an apparatus assignment for the use of a spectrum that has been determined for spectrum assignments.

167. (1) A holder of an apparatus assignment may authorise a third party to operate a network facility which is the subject of an apparatus assignment.

(2) The regulations made by the Minister under section 158 may provide for the third party operation of a network facility which is the subject of an apparatus assignment by persons authorised by the holder of the apparatus assignment.

168. An apparatus assignment shall not be valid for a period of more than five years from its date of issue.

169. (1) The Commission may issue a class assignment which confers rights on any person to use any frequency band or bands for a specified purpose.

(2) A class assignment issued under this section may be subject to such conditions as the Commission may impose.

170. A class assignment shall not be issued unless it is consistent with the spectrum plan developed under this Part.

171. The Commission shall not issue a class assignment that authorises the use of the spectrum that is determined for spectrum assignments.

172. (1) The Commission may develop a spectrum plan in respect of any part or all of the spectrum.

(2) The spectrum plan shall be made available to the public (including in electronic form) for a fee to be decided by the Commission.

173. (1) A spectrum plan shall define how the spectrum shall be used and define the methodology for assignment and re-assignment of the spectrum.

(2) The Commission, in exercising the functions under subsection (1), shall take into account -

(a) the objects of the Act;

(b) the impact of the spectrum plan on existing users; and

(c) any applicable international standards, conventions and agreements including, but not limited to, the International Telecommunication Union and its radio regulations as agreed to and adopted by Malaysia.

174. The Minister may determine that specified spectrum assignment and/or apparatus assignment may only be issued to particular persons or classes of persons who satisfy such conditions as are specified in the determination published in the Gazette.

175. (1) The Commission may resolve disputes about interference.

(2) The resolution of disputes under subsection (1) shall comply with Chapter 7 of Part V.

176. (1) The Minister may, after taking into account the recommendation of the Commission, determine that a certain spectrum is to be reallocated for spectrum assignments.

(2) The determination made under subsection (1) may include limits on the amount of spectrum available, either generally or to particular persons or classes of persons.

(3) The determination made under subsection (1) shall be deemed to include the term that the spectrum assignment shall not exceed twenty years.

177. The spectrum plan may include procedures for the assignment of spectrum assignments and apparatus assignments such as, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) procedures for the assignment of spectrum assignments and apparatus assignments by auction;

(b) procedures for the assignment of spectrum assignments and apparatus assignments by tender;

(c) procedures for the assignment of spectrum assignments at a fixed price to be determined by the Minister;

(d) procedures for the assignment of apparatus assignments at a fixed price to be determined by the Commission; and/or

(e) a conversion plan for the conversion of designated apparatus assignments into spectrum assignments.

178. (1) The Minister may direct the Commission to develop procedures for the compulsory acquisition by the Commission of assignments in a determined spectrum.

(2) The Commission may recommend to the Minister that assignments in a determined spectrum be compulsorily acquired by the Commission in accordance with a reassignment of spectrum consistent with the spectrum plan.

(3) The Minister may, after taking into account the recommendation of the Commission under subsection (2), direct that assignments in a determined spectrum be compulsorily acquired by the Commission.

(4) The Commission may pay a reasonable amount of compensation to the holder of an assignment whose assignment has been acquired prior to its expiry, by a direction made under this section.

(5) No compensation may be payable if an assignment is not renewed.

Chapter 2

Numbering And Electronic Addressing

179. (1) The Commission shall be vested with the control, planning, administration, management and assignment of the numbering and electronic addressing of network services and applications services.

(2) The Commission may delegate any or all of its functions under this Chapter.

180. (1) The Commission shall develop a numbering and electronic addressing plan for the numbering and electronic addressing of network services and applications services.

(2) The numbering and electronic addressing plan may set out rules which include, but are not limited to -

(a) the use of different numbers and electronic addresses for different kinds of services;

(b) the assignment of numbers and electronic addresses;

(c) the transfer of assigned numbers and addresses;

(d) the use of assigned numbers and electronic addresses;

(e) the portability of assigned numbers and electronic addresses;

(f) the requirements for network service providers and applications service providers to maintain a plan for assigning and re-assigning numbers and electronic addresses; and

(g) the rates for the assignment and transfer of numbers and electronic addresses which may be imposed by the Commission.

(3) The Commission shall make the numbering and electronic addressing plan available to the public for a fee to be decided by the Commission.

181. (1) The Commission may appoint a specified person to manage or maintain an integrated public number database or an integrated electronic address database.

(2) A person specified under subsection (1) shall provide non-discriminatory commercial access to the database on the same terms and conditions which it offers to itself.

(3) The Commission may direct a person specified under subsection (1) regarding the manner in which he will discharge his obligation under subsection (2).

Chapter 3

Technical Standards

182. A person who uses any technical equipment or systems which hinder network interoperability 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.

183. A person who uses any technical equipment or systems which compromise public safety 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.

184. The Commission may designate an industry body to be a forum for technical standards ("technical standards forum") for the purposes of this Part.

185. (1) A technical code prepared by the technical standards forum or the Commission under this section shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) requirements for network interoperability, including, but not limited to, the provision of certain network capabilities such as calling line identification capability and pre-selection capability; and

(b) the promotion of safety of network facilities.

(2) A technical code prepared by the technical standards forum or the Commission under this section may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) the provision of network facilities, including requirements for qualified providers and installers;

(b) the provision of network services, including requirements for qualified providers;

(c) the provision of applications services, including requirements for qualified providers;

(d) the provisions of customer equipment and cabling, including requirements for qualified installers;

(e) the approval of customer equipment and other access devices;

(f) the adoption of technical standards promulgated by international bodies; and

(g) the promotion of electromagnetic immunity and compatibility.

186. (1) The Commission may register certifying agencies or classes of certifying agencies, including agencies outside Malaysia, for the purposes of certifying compliance with codes or standards under this Part.

(2) An approval by a registered certifying agency shall be deemed to be an approval by the Commission for the purposes of this Chapter.

Part VIII

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Chapter 1

Quality Of Service

187. A network facilities provider or a network service provider or an applications service provider who does not require an individual licence, and is not subject to a class licence, under Part VI, is deemed to have been exempted from the offence provisions of section 188.

188. (1) A person who provides any network service or applications service shall -

(a) deal reasonably with consumers; and

(b) adequately address consumer complaints.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.

189. The Commission may designate an industry body to be a consumer forum for the purposes of this Chapter.

190. (1) A consumer code prepared by a consumer forum or the Commission shall include model procedures for -

(a) reasonably meeting consumer requirements;

(b) the handling of customer complaints and disputes including an inexpensive arbitration process other than a court, and procedures for the compensation of customers in case of a breach of a consumer code; and/or

(c) the protection of consumer information.

(2) The matters which the consumer code may address may include, but are not limited to -

(a) the provision of information to customers regarding services, rates and performance;

(b) the provisioning and fault repair of services;

(c) the advertising or representation of services;

(d) customer charging, billing, collection and credit practices; and

(e) any other matter of concern to consumers.

191. After the preparation of a consumer code, the consumer code shall be published and notice of it shall be advertised in at least one national language and one English language national daily newspapers for at least three consecutive days.

Chapter 2

Required Applications Services

192. (1) For the purposes of this Part, the Minister may determine a list of required applications services.

(2) The list referred to in subsection (1) may include, but is not limited to -

(a) emergency services (including access to controlled network facilities and network services for the purposes of providing emergency services);

(b) directory assistance services (including access to controlled network facilities, network services and relevant databases);

(c) operator assistance services; and

(d) services for disabled consumers.

193. (1) The Minister may determine the classes of network service providers who shall provide any or all of the applications services on the list of required applications services.

(2) The Commission shall direct the class of licensees providing network services, determined under subsection (1), to provide the required applications services.

194. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Act or any instrument made, issued or given under this Act, a direction by the Commission issued under section 193 may provide for or specify operational details relating to a required applications service.

Chapter 3

Resolution Of Consumer Disputes

195. The Commission may use any of its powers under this Act in the resolution of complaints received from consumers in relation to matters of customer service and consumer protection including, but not limited to, the failure by a licensee to comply with a consumer code prepared under this Part.

196. The Commission shall establish procedures or guidelines for the making, receipt and handling of complaints of consumers regarding the conduct or operation of licensees.

Chapter 4

Rate Regulation

197. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, a network facilities provider, network service provider, applications service provider or content applications service provider may set rates in accordance with the market rates.

(2) All of the providers mentioned in subsection (1) are required to publish the rates charged to customers for one or more services.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter, "network facilities provider" includes a nominated facilities provider.

198. The rates established by a provider mentioned in subsection 197(1) shall be on the basis of the following principles:

(a) rates must be fair and, for similarly situated persons, not unreasonably discriminatory;

(b) rates should be oriented toward costs and, in general, cross-subsidies should be eliminated;

(c) rates should not contain discounts that unreasonably prejudice the competitive opportunities of other providers;

(d) rates should be structured and levels set to attract investment into the communications and multimedia industry; and

(e) rates should take account of the regulations and recommendations of the international organisations of which Malaysia is a member.

199. Notwithstanding section 197, the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, intervene freely or frequently in determining and setting the rates for any competitive facilities or services provided by a provider mentioned in subsection 197(1) for good cause, or as the public interest may require.

200. In the following cases, the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, determine special rate regulation regimes, which may include setting, reviewing and approving rates, or forbearing from the regulation of rates -

(a) where the rates are not set in accordance with the principles in section 198; or

(b) in respect of the facilities or services provided by a provider mentioned in subsection 197(1), for a particular group of persons or in a particular area.

201. (1) The Minister may make rules, to be published in the Gazette, to prescribe the level of rates to be charged for specified or classes of network facilities, network services, applications services or content applications services.

(2) The rules which may be made by the Minister under subsection (1) may include, but are not limited to -

(a) rules about the rates and variation of rates for specified or classes of network facilities, network services, applications services or content applications services;

(b) rules about the publication or disclosure of rates for specified or classes of network facilities, network services, applications services or content applications services; or

(c) rate control mechanisms applied to specified licensees or classes of licensees, or specified or classes of network facilities, network services, applications services or content applications services.

Chapter 5

Universal Service Provision

202. (1) The Minister may direct the Commission to determine a system to promote the widespread availability and usage of network services and/or applications services throughout Malaysia by encouraging the installation of network facilities and the provision for network services and/or applications services in underserved areas or for underserved groups within the community.

(2) The Minister may make regulations under section 16 for the implementation of subsection (1).

203. (1) A determination by the Commission under subsection 202(1) shall include definitions of "underserved areas" and "underserved groups within the community".

(2) In determining the definition of "underserved areas", the Commission may have regard to -

(a) the level of competition in particular areas or places;

(b) the availability of services in particular areas or places; and/or

(c) the commercial viability of installing network facilities or providing network services or applications services in particular areas or places.

(3) In determining the definition of "underserved groups within the community", the Commission may have regard to -

(a) the availability of services to such groups; and/or

(b) any barriers to the use of available services.

204. (1) For the purposes of this Act, a fund to be known as the "Universal Service Provision Fund" ("USP Fund") is established and it shall be controlled and operated by the Commission.

(2) The Minister may make regulations regarding contributions by licensees, under this Act, to the USP Fund and any other matters related to or incidental to the establishment and operation of the USP Fund.

Part IX

SOCIAL REGULATION

Chapter 1

Licensing

205. (1) Subject to such exemptions as may be determined by the Minister by order published in the Gazette, no person may provide a content applications service unless -

(a) the person holds a valid individual licence granted under this Part to provide the content applications service; or

(b) the content applications service is subject to a valid class licence under this Part.

(2) A licence obtained under this section does not exempt any person from the obligation to obtain a licence under any other relevant section of this Act.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) 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 and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day or part of a day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

206. (1) The relevant standard conditions of every licence, granted under this Part, shall be in accordance with the Schedule.

(2) Any special or additional conditions of a licence may be declared by the Minister and included in the licence.

(3) A content applications service provider shall not provide any service except in accordance with the conditions of the licence granted to that licensee under this Chapter or the conditions of a class licence to which such content applications service provider is subject.

207. (1) The Minister may determine the definition of a "closed content applications service" for the purposes of this Act.

(2) In the absence of such determination, a closed content applications service shall be -

(a) a content applications service confined to a single dwelling; or

(b) a content applications service provided only to the employees or officers of a single body corporate.

(3) The provision of any closed content applications service shall be exempt from the provisions of this Part.

208. (1) An applications service provider is exempted from the provisions under section 205 to the extent that the content in question is content incidental to the service provided.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the Minister may determine guidelines to clarify the meaning of "content incidental to the service provided" and all matters related to it.

(3) The guidelines determined by the Minister shall be published by the Commission, in the manner it deems appropriate, and shall be registered in the register as soon as practicable.

209. (1) A person providing a limited content applications service is not required to hold an individual licence but he may be subject to a class licence.

(2) A limited content applications service provider to which no class licence applies shall be deemed to be exempted from all the provisions under this Part.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the Minister may determine guidelines which clarify or add to the criteria used in defining the term "limited content applications service" and all matters related to it.

(4) The guidelines determined by the Minister shall be published by the Commission, in the manner it deems appropriate, and shall be registered in the register as soon as practicable.

210. (1) A person may apply to the Commission to decide whether a content applications service is considered a limited content applications service or whether the content is content incidental to the service provided.

(2) The Commission shall provide its opinion within thirty days from the date of receipt of the application.

(3) The Commission shall take into account any relevant Ministerial guidelines and any previous opinions given under this Chapter before giving its opinion.

(4) The opinion shall be binding on the Commission and all affected parties for a period of three years from the date that the opinion is provided under subsection (2).

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), the Commission may withdraw an opinion if it is satisfied that the nature of the service has changed materially.

(6) The Commission shall maintain a register of opinions in accordance with Chapter 6 of Part V.

Chapter 2

Content Requirements

211. (1) No content applications service provider, or other person using a content applications service, shall provide content which is indecent, obscene, false, menacing, or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day or part of a day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

212. The Commission may designate an industry body to be a content forum for the purposes of this Part.

213. (1) A content code prepared by the content forum or the Commission shall include model procedures for dealing with offensive or indecent content.

(2) The matters which the code may address may include, but are not limited to -

(a) the restrictions on the provision of unsuitable content;

(b) the methods of classifying content;

(c) the procedures for handling public complaints and for reporting information about complaints to the Commission;

(d) the representation of Malaysian culture and national identity;

(e) public information and education regarding content regulation and technologies for the end user control of content; and

(f) other matters of concern to the community.

Part X

GENERAL

Chapter 1

Installation Of Network Facilities, Access To Network Facilities, Etc.

214. A network facilities provider, may for the purposes of determining whether any land is suitable for his purpose of installing, or obtaining access to, network facilities -

(a) enter on, and inspect, the land; and

(b) do anything on the land that is necessary or desirable for that purpose, including making surveys, taking levels, sinking bores, taking samples, digging pits and examining the soil.

215. (1) A network facilities provider may for purposes connected with the provision of network services carry out the installation of network facilities if -

(a) the provider is authorised to do so by a network facilities installation permit issued by the Commission under section 226;

(b) the network facilities are low-impact network facilities;

(c) the network facilities are temporary network facilities for use by, or on behalf of, the Ministry of Defence for defence purposes; or

(d) the installation is carried out for the sole purpose of connecting a building or structure, or a line that forms part of a network facility.

(2) The installation of the network facilities authorised by this section may require the approval of the State Authority, local authority, or other relevant authority, if necessary.

(3) If subsection (1) authorises a network facilities provider to carry out a particular activity, the provider may, for purposes in connection with the carrying out of that activity -

(a) enter on, and occupy, any land; and

(b) on, over or under the land, do anything necessary or desirable for those purposes, including -

(i) constructing, erecting and placing any post or network facility;

(ii) felling and lopping trees and clearing and removing other vegetation and undergrowth;

(iii) making cuttings and excavations;

(iv) restoring the surface of the land and, for that purpose, removing and disposing of soil, vegetation and other material;

(v) erecting temporary workshops and sheds and other temporary buildings; and

(vi) levelling the surface of the land and making roads.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, determine that specified network facilities are low-impact network facilities.

216. In engaging in an activity under this Chapter, a network facilities provider shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that he causes as little detriment and inconvenience, and does as little damage, as is practicable.

217. If a network facilities provider engages in an activity under this Chapter in relation to any land, the provider shall take all reasonable steps to restore the land to a condition that is similar to its condition before the activity began.

218. A network facilities provider shall, in connection with carrying out an activity covered by this Chapter, take all reasonable steps -

(a) to act in accordance with good engineering practice;

(b) to protect the safety of persons and property;

(c) to ensure that the activity interferes as little as practicable with -

(i) the operations of a public utility;

(ii) public roads and paths;

(iii) the movement of traffic; and

(iv) the use of land; and

(d) to protect the environment.

219. (1) A network facilities provider shall take all reasonable efforts to enter into an agreement with a public utility that makes provision for the manner in which the provider will engage in an activity that is -

(a) covered by this Chapter; and

(b) likely to affect the operations of the utility.

(2) A network facilities provider shall comply with an agreement in force under subsection(1).

220. If -

(a) a network facilities provider engages, or proposes to engage, in an activity covered by this Chapter;

(b) that activity is or will be authorised by a network facilities installation permit; and

(c) the network facilities installation permit is subject to one or more conditions,

the network facilities provider shall comply with those conditions.

221. (1) Before engaging in an activity under this Chapter in relation to any land, a network facilities provider shall give written notice of his intention to do so -

(a) to the owner of the land; and

(b) if the land is occupied by a person other than the owner, to the occupier.

(2) The notice must specify the purpose for which the provider intends to engage in the activity.

(3) The notice under subsection (1) must contain a statement to the effect that if a person suffers financial loss or damage in relation to property because of anything done by the provider in engaging in the activity, compensation may be payable.

(4) The notice under subsection (1) must be given at least fourteen days before the provider begins to engage in the activity.

(5) A person may waive the person's right to be given a notice under subsection (1).

(6) Subsection (1) does not apply if -

(a) the network facilities provider has complied with any technical code and mandatory standards relevant to the activity; and

(b) the activity needs to be carried out without delay in order to protect -

(i) the integrity of network facilities;

(ii) the health or safety of persons;

(iii) the environment;

(iv) property; or

(v) the maintenance of an adequate level of service.

(7) Subsection (1) does not apply if -

(a) the provider intends to engage in activities under section 214;

(b) engaging in those activities does not involve any material disturbance to the land; and

(c) the land is a public place.

222. (1) At least fourteen days before -

(a) cutting down or lopping a tree on private land; or

(b) clearing or removing undergrowth or vegetation on private land,

under section 215, a network facilities provider shall give -

(aa) the owner of the land; and

(bb) if the land is occupied by a person other than the owner, the occupier,

a written notice requesting that the tree be cut down or lopped, or that the undergrowth or vegetation be cleared, in the manner, and within the period, specified in the notice.

(2) The provider may only engage in those activities if the request is not complied with.

(3) A person may waive the person's right to be given a notice under subsection (1).

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if -

(a) the network facilities provider has complied with any technical codes and/or mandatory standards relevant to the activities; and

(b) the activity needs to be carried out without delay in order to protect -

(i) the integrity of network facilities;

(ii) the health or safety of persons;

(iii) the environment;

(iv) property; or

(v) the maintenance of an adequate level of service.

223. (1) Subject to any other relevant written law, at least fourteen days before -

(a) closing, diverting or narrowing a road or bridge;

(b) installing any network facilities on, over or under a road or bridge; or

(c) altering the position of a conduit, gas main or pipe,

under section 215, a network facilities provider shall give written notice of his intention to do so to the person or authority responsible for the care and management of the road, bridge, conduit, gas main or pipe.

(2) A person or authority may waive the person's or authority's right to be given a notice under subsection (1).

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if -

(a) the network facilities provider has complied with any technical codes and mandatory standards relevant to the activities; and

(b) those activities need to be carried out without delay in order to protect -

(i) the integrity of a network facility;

(ii) the health or safety of persons;

(iii) the environment;

(iv) property; or

(v) the maintenance of an adequate level of service.

224. If a network facilities provider engages in an activity covered by section 215, the provider shall ensure that the network facilities installed over a road, bridge, path or navigable water are installed in a way that will allow reasonable passage by persons, vehicles and vessels.

225. A network facilities provider may apply to the Commission, in the manner as provided in the regulations, for a network facilities installation permit authorising the network facilities provider to carry out the installation of one or more network facilities.

226. The Commission shall issue a network facilities installation permit that authorises a network facilities provider to carry out the installation of one or more facilities if the network facilities provider has satisfied the Commission that -

(a) both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) the provider has made reasonable efforts in good faith with each proprietor whose approval is required or would, apart from section 215, be required, for carrying out the installation; and

(ii) at least one of those approvals has not been obtained within fourteen days after the beginning of the negotiations concerned;

(b) each State Authority, local authority or other authority whose approval is required or would, apart from section 215, be required, for the installation of the network facilities has given such approval;

(c) the network facilities are, or are likely to be, part of another network facility of national significance;

(d) the network facilities are, or are likely to be, an important part of another network facility;

(e) any of the following conditions is satisfied:

(i) the network facilities are part of another network facility, the greater part of which has already been installed;

(ii) the network facilities are a part of another network facility, the greater part of which has not been installed, but each State Authority, local authority or other authority whose approval was required or would, apart from section 215, be required, for the installation of the greater part of the network has given, or is reasonably likely to give, such approval; or

(iii) the network facilities are part of another network facility, none of which has been installed, but each State Authority, local authority or other authority whose approval was required or would, apart from section 215, be required, for the installation of the greater part of the infrastructure of the network facilities has given, or is reasonably likely to give, such approval; and

(f) the advantages that are likely to be derived from the operation of the network facilities outweigh any form of degradation of the environment that is likely to result from the installation of the network facilities.

227. A network facilities installation permit has effect subject to this Act and any other relevant written law.

228. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, a network facilities provider or a public utility shall provide a network facilities provider with non-discriminatory access to any post, network facilities or right-of-way owned or controlled by him.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a network facilities provider or a public utility may deny any network facilities provider access to his post, network facilities or right-of-way on a non-discriminatory basis where there is insufficient capacity, or for reasons of safety, security, reliability, or difficulty of a technical or engineering nature.

229. (1) The Commission may regulate the rates, terms and conditions for access to any post, network facilities or right-of-way and provide that such rates, terms and conditions are just and reasonable and may adopt procedures necessary and appropriate to hear and resolve disputes in accordance with Chapter 7 of Part V.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to, or to give the Commission jurisdiction with respect to access to any posts, network facilities or right-of-way where such matters are regulated by a State Authority, local authority or other authority.

230. The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, make regulations regarding the manner for the carrying out of the provisions of this Chapter.

Part XI

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Chapter 1

Repeal And Savings

273. (1) The Telecommunications Act 1950 and the Broadcasting Act 1988 are repealed ("the repealed Acts").

(2) Any subsidiary legislation made under the repealed Acts shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with this Act, remain in operation until revoked or replaced by subsidiary legislation made under this Act, and shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made under this Act.

(3) The Minister may, whenever it appears to him necessary or expedient so to do whether for the purpose of removing difficulties or in consequence of the passing of this Act, by order to be published in the Gazette, make such modifications to any subsidiary legislation as he deems fit.

274. (1) The Telecommunications Fund is dissolved.

(2) All moneys standing in the Telecommunications Fund shall, on the date of coming into operation of this Act, be transferred to and vested in the Fund established under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998.

275. Any registration, act, order, direction, approval or decision done, made or given before the date of coming into operation of this Act shall be deemed to have been done, made or given under this Act and shall continue in full force and effect in relation to whom they apply until amended or revoked under this Act or new rules, regulations or other subsidiary legislation are made under it or until the date of its expiry.

Chapter 2

Transitional Provisions For Licences

276. Subject to section 278, licences issued under the repealed Acts ("old licences") shall continue to have effect under this Act.

277. Notwithstanding section 276, an old licence shall not have effect to the extent of any conflict with a class licence granted under this Act.

278. Notwithstanding section 276, a valid licence granted under the repealed Acts shall only be effective for a period of twelve months after the appointed date, unless it has been registered ("registered licence") by the Commission within twelve months from the appointed date.

279. This Act does not confer any new benefit or right on a registered licensee registered under section 278 except where that benefit or right was conferred under the old licence.

280. A holder of a licence granted under the repealed Acts shall indicate to the Minister in writing whether he intends to seek a licence under this Act within twelve months from the appointed date.

281. (1) A holder of a registered licence, granted under the repealed Acts, may apply for an individual licence under this Act in substitution of his old licence.

(2) The Minister may declare, in accordance with section 13, that an individual licence, granted under subsection (1), shall be subject to such general or standard conditions as the Minister may determine for each type of licence and such other special or additional conditions as the Minister is satisfied are in the national interest.

282. (1) The Commission shall make a determination, in accordance with section 55, regarding the listing of all facilities and services available to licensees under the licences granted under the Telecommunications Act 1950, for the purposes of ensuring any-to-any connectivity between end users.

(2) Notwithstanding Part V, the Commission shall not be required to conduct an inquiry before making a determination under this section.