PUTRAJAYA, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has been prioritised to adopt the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework due to the scale of its procurement activities and the need for more sustainable and transparent governance, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today.
Fahmi, who is the MADANI Government spokesperson, said the decision followed Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s briefing to the Cabinet that MINDEF is moving towards implementing the ESG framework to strengthen governance and transparency, particularly in procurement.
“The Defence Minister informed the Cabinet that given the large volume of procurement undertaken each year, it is appropriate and necessary for priority to be given to MINDEF,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting here.
Fahmi said follow-up actions would involve the Digital Ministry and the National Digital Department to support the digitalisation of several procurement procedures.
He said the move aims to ensure procurement processes are more transparent, accountable and responsible, while reducing the risk of leakages.
Elaborating, Fahmi said Mohamed Khaled also briefed the Cabinet on the latest developments and ongoing efforts related to current issues within the Malaysian Armed Forces.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had taken note of the views and explanations provided by the Defence Minister, including statements made previously.
“Several matters raised today will be followed up on. For further details, reference can be made to the Defence Minister,” he said, adding that the Cabinet had generally received the explanations positively.
In his New Year 2026 Message earlier this week, Mohamed Khaled said MINDEF is taking proactive steps to bridge the gap between public sector governance and private sector efficiency by placing integrity and sustainability at the core of its reforms.
He said the time has come for MINDEF to implement the ESG framework in a more structured and comprehensive manner.
Efforts to strengthen governance have taken on added significance amid recent public scrutiny involving the Armed Forces, including issues related to personnel welfare, procurement processes and internal management of the nation’s security forces.
-- BERNAMA
