Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the MADANI government is introducing a significant reform with the tabling of the Government Procurement Bill 2025. This initiative marks a departure from previous administrations, which were either unwilling or unable to implement such measures.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Finance Minister highlighted that, similar to the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023, the government aims to reinforce administrative governance through this legislation. The Bill is designed to enhance checks and balances, allowing procurement decisions, including those made by the Finance Minister, to be reviewed by an independent Review Panel and Procurement Appeal Tribunal.

Anwar emphasized that the Government Procurement Bill introduces punitive measures for procurement non-compliance, without exemptions for the Finance Minister. He underscored the importance of this step in safeguarding the nation’s dignity and ensuring a legacy of justice, dignity, and competitiveness for future generations. He stressed that efforts to improve income levels will require high standards of governance, institutional integrity, and decisive actions against misconduct, waste, and corruption.

In his address to the Dewan Rakyat, the Prime Minister highlighted Malaysia’s history of financial scandals, such as the Maminco scandal, the collapse of Bank Bumiputera, and the 1MDB scandal, among others. He asserted that transparency and accountability are now essential obligations, not optional choices, and that the culture of direct contract negotiations must end to prevent corrupt practices.

Anwar also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the independence of enforcement agencies like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Inland Revenue Board. This commitment is further strengthened under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028.