Refer Government Procurement Bill to special select committee, Senate urged

The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) calls on the Senate to urgently refer the Government Procurement Bill 2025 to the Special Select Committee on Law Review for further review.

The bill was rushed through the House of Representatives on 28 August, with only 16 days between the release of a white paper and the parliamentary vote.

This hasty process left little time for MPs, civil society, the business community or the public to properly scrutinise the law, which will govern procurement at both federal and state levels.

C4 Center has consistently raised grave concerns about the bill, including:

• the excessive concentration of power in the hands of the finance minister and chief ministers
• an appeals tribunal that lacks independence, as its members are appointed by the minister
• registrar powers without sufficient safeguards, weakening transparency and accountability
• Wide investigative powers granted to Treasury officials, in some cases exceeding those of the police.

Without meaningful checks and balances, the bill risks entrenching the very flaws and abuses that have led to Malaysia’s past procurement scandals, from the littoral combat ships to defective ventilators during the Covid pandemic.

The Senate now has a crucial responsibility to ensure proper oversight in light of wide-ranging criticism of the bill from government MPs, opposition MPs and civil society. 

C4 Center urges senators to exercise their constitutional role responsibly by referring the bill to the Special Select Committee on Law Review. This review must ensure that the weaknesses of the Government Procurement Bill can be addressed. A clear plan for improvement and amendment must be established.

Only through comprehensive scrutiny and meaningful stakeholder engagement can Malaysia achieve a procurement regime that strengthens integrity, accountability and public trust. – C4 Center

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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