Government Procurement Bill to ensure transparency in military spending, says Chief Secretary

THE proposed Government Procurement Bill will serve as a key mechanism to ensure greater transparency and integrity in Malaysia’s procurement processes, particularly in the defence sector, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said today.

Speaking after officiating the Integrity Fun Walk 2025 organised by the Malaysian Institute of Integrity at Dataran DBKL, Shamsul Azri confirmed that the bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.

“To ensure transparency in procurement, we will introduce the Government Procurement Bill so that all procurement matters are carried out with full integrity and openness,” he said.

The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s earlier call to replace outdated procurement practices in the public sector, which he warned could foster corruption and abuse.

Previously, Anwar stressed the urgent need for reform, particularly in defence procurement, urging for a move away from legacy methods that create space for misconduct. He called for full cooperation from top security officials and technical experts to support a new, cleaner procurement model.

The Government Procurement Bill is expected to address long-standing issues in public spending, introduce stronger oversight mechanisms, and reinforce accountability in line with the government’s wider good governance and anti-corruption agenda. - August 24, 2025