Public procurement is a significant area of any administration to accomplish government programmes through the acquisition of works, supplies and services. A substantial portion of taxpayers’ money is invested into public procurement which must be fully accounted for, as efficiently and transparently as possible, in the interest of the public’s welfare and national progress. However in Malaysia, public procurement is one area that is most vulnerable to corruption and other illegal activities.
It is of utmost priority for Malaysia to have in place a Public Procurement Act to replace various circulars and directives that currently govern procurement practices. The legislation to govern procurement should address long-standing issues especially surrounding the rampant use of direct negotiation currently as well as increase transparency in the area.
October 1, 2020 (PN) The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, Datuk Seri Azam Baki listed two main challenges facing the MACC in its battle against corruption in the country. Firstly, the use of digital technology conceals the paper trails of corruption practices and has made it easier for perpetrators to evade existing laws. Secondly, […]
August 29, 2020 (PN) When Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz disclosed in Parliament that the Pakatan Harapan government signed off RM6.1bil worth of contracts without calling for a tender during its 22-month tenure in Putrajaya, it created a ruckus. However, a day later, the details disclosed revealed that more than 90% of […]
August 28, 2020 (PN) Despite an earlier accusation hurled at the Pakatan Harapan government (PH) of dishing out contracts without open tenders, Malaysia’s incumbent Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz now said there is ‘nothing wrong’ with direct negotiated tenders and that there are policies which justify direct negotiations under Section 6 (1) of the Financial Procedure […]
July 15, 2019 (PH) Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Pakatan Harapan government is expected to table a new bill to curb wastages in public procurement next July (2020) by including a check and balance process in the form of a complaints mechanism for suppliers and the public. The National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023 (NACP) […]
November 2, 2018 (PH) During the budget 2019 tabling under the Pakatan Harapan government, Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng announced that the government would be introducing the Government Procurement Act in 2019. He said the Act would be accompanied by open tender practices and punitive action against any abuse of power in relation to contract […]
