Procurement Bill: Government Introduces Another Major Reform - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the MADANI government is introducing another major reform with the tabling of the Government Procurement Bill 2025, one that previous administrations were unwilling or unable to implement.

The Finance Minister said that, as with the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023 (FRA), the government is again strengthening administrative governance through legislation.

He said the Bill reinforces checks and balances, with procurement decisions, including those by the Finance Minister, being open to challenge and review through an independent Review Panel and Procurement Appeal Tribunal.

Anwar said the Government Procurement Bill also introduces punitive measures for procurement non-compliance, with no exemption for the Finance Minister.

“The courage to take this step is the only way to safeguard the nation’s dignity and ensure that our legacy to future generations is not one of debt, damage and hardship, but of a just, dignified and competitive Malaysia.

“Efforts to raise both the ceiling and the floor (of income) will not succeed without the highest standards of governance in administration, upholding institutional integrity, firm action against misconduct, waste and corruption, and prioritising transparent, efficient and principled management of the nation’s finances,” he said when tabling the Bill for second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The Prime Minister said the nation’s long history, marked by dark and bitter lessons, proves that transparency and accountability are no longer optional but essential obligations.

He cited, among others, the Maminco scandal of the 1980s, the collapse of Bank Bumiputera, heavy losses from foreign exchange dealings, the 1MDB scandal, the procurement of the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), military acquisitions, and the Jana Wibawa scandal.

“Therefore, we stress that the culture of awarding contracts through direct negotiations must end. We can no longer tolerate corrupt practices that open the door to leakages, cronyism, and abuse of power.

“The entire machinery and structure of power must submit to the law, not the other way around. Is this easy to achieve? Certainly not,” he said.

Anwar also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring enforcement agencies have full independence in carrying out their duties.

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Inland Revenue Board are free to perform their duties without interference from any party. This commitment is further reinforced under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028,” he said.

-- BERNAMA