“The government has evaluated and considered the evidence of dumping, injury and causal link, and decided to initiate an investigation on the claims,” the international trade and industry ministry (Miti) said in a statement.

It received a petition from Southern PC Steel Sdn Bhd requesting for the investigation after alleging that these imports were being dumped into Malaysia at a price much lower than the selling price in China’s domestic market, causing material injury to the domestic industry.

“The petitioner further claimed that the dumped imports have increased in terms of absolute quantity and have caused injury to the domestic industry,” it said.

In accordance with the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993 and its related regulations, Miti said a preliminary determination will be made within four months.

“If found to be true, the government will impose a provisional anti-dumping duty to prevent further damage to the domestic industry.”

It said Miti will distribute questionnaires to interested parties – importers, local producers, producers or exporters of the subject merchandise in China and relevant associations.

Other interested parties may request for the questionnaires in writing to Miti no later than April 15.

“Interested parties may also provide their views in writing, questionnaire responses and additional supporting evidence to Miti by April 30.

“In the event no additional information is received within the specified period, the government will make its preliminary findings based on the available facts,” it added.