Grab’s appeal against MyCC RM86.77m fine successful

Grab’s appeal against MyCC RM86.77m fine successful

The Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision that quashed the proposed fine of RM86.77 million imposed by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) on Grab and its subsidiaries in 2019 has been upheld by the Court of Appeal (COA). A three-member panel led by judge Datuk ES Nantha Balan also ordered MyCC to pay RM50,000 costs to Grab.

Judge Datuk Dr Lim Chong Fong, who read the unanimous decision on Wednesday, said COA found that MyCC may have been ‘cavalier’ when conducting the investigations on Grab, which the court found there had been procedural impropriety and warranted the judicial review, The Edge reported.

Lim said there should have been prior notification to the respondent (Grab) for request of information based on Section 18 of the Competitions Act 2010, as the investigation must be predicated by a third-party complaint. He added that the investigation had deprived the respondents of knowing the details of the complaint. COA had also found the letter issued by MyCC to Grab to be ambiguous.

Grab’s appeal against MyCC RM86.77m fine successful

“This court also found Section 35 of the Competitions Act (with regards to interim measures) up to Section 40 (finding of an infringement) do not provide a mechanism to challenge a proposed decision. The court found there is no appeal process to the proposed decision made based on Sections 35 to 40, and the respondents were right in filing the judicial remedy, as there is no internal remedy available for them to challenge the proposed decision.

“Hence, this court finds that the High Court judge did not make any appealable error that warrants appellate intervention in dismissing MyCC’s appeal,” Lim said, adding that COA had initially overturned an earlier High Court decision that had refused to grant leave for a judicial review.

Here’s the background and timeline. MyCC had alleged that Grab abused its dominant position by imposing a restrictive clause on its drivers, effectively preventing them from promoting Grab’s current and potential competitors on e-hailing platforms and in transit media advertising. In 2019, the commission proposed a fine of RM86.77 million. Grab then filed the judicial review application in early 2020 to challenge MyCC’s decision and fine.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Lance Chau on Mar 20, 2025 at 11:44 am

    Ketam menang lagi.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • mycc funny on Mar 20, 2025 at 1:18 pm

    MyCC needs a new wiser bos

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Austin on Mar 20, 2025 at 3:23 pm

    Grab Holdings can try many many ways to talk their way out, pay less to drivers and riders , lay off as many employees and boast about that the company is on the path to profitablity. But as long as the company has a bad reputation, and keep on spending millions and millions on Grab Adds, Grab Propaganda Adds and Cringe Adds, their share prices will continue to stay between 4 to 5 USD. Even the latest reviews and comments for the Grab App are negatives.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • Jeremy on Mar 20, 2025 at 3:44 pm

    Yay Grab won!!!!! Now what
    If the Top People in Grab Holdings say
    That the company is doing well, then how come the company is in talks with Go-To, to merge with Go-To? And how come their share prices are still down, always remain between 4 to 5 USD. And yes even the reviews and comments for the Grab App are very negative. Even if they merge together with Go-To, what about the employees, workers and Engineers of both companies, they may clash together……or worst……if both companies didn’t perform well, they may lay off thousands and thousands of workforce. Let’s hope the merger will fail , and Grab Holdings will become like NISSAN……. almost bankrupt.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • Mycc is suppose to Be anti Monopoly. So why not go after monopolies such as bernas wrt rice imports, Malaysia airports, proton and perodua, sugar.
    Grab has rivals such as food panda and others.and anyone can still get into the business if they have ability to do so.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • Antonio Tango on Mar 23, 2025 at 9:58 am

      You forgot to include tnb? Gomen give monopolies to their own kind and prosecute others. This has been practiced since the birth of their official religion

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
 

Add a comment

required

required