Kuala lumpur: The Government Procurement Bill set to be tabled in Parliament next week will provide for legal action against any party that fails to comply with procurement procedures. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the new provision will grant the government the authority to impose penalties on breaches of the procurement process.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the bill will criminalise any violations of procurement rules or tender procedures. Minister Khaled Nordin emphasised that these offences will be subject to legal consequences. He made these remarks while speaking to reporters following a community meet-and-greet event with the Chinese community.

He further explained that the bill’s provisions will apply not only to the Defence Ministry but extend to all ministries and government agencies. This measure aims to ensure that procurement processes are conducted with transparency and accountability across the board.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as the Finance Minister, reiterated the importance of transparency in the procurement system, especially in the defence sector. He highlighted past issues where military asset procurement allowed companies and agents to secure excessive profits, which negatively impacted the country’s defence capabilities and burdened the nation.