PUTRAJAYA, Jan 14 — The Defence Ministry (Mindef) has been earmarked to adopt the environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework due to the scale of its procurements and its need for more sustainable and transparent governance, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today.
Fahmi, who is Madani Government spokesperson, said the decision follows Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s briefing to the Cabinet that Mindef is moving towards implementing an ESG framework to strengthen governance and transparency, especially in procurement.
“The defence minister informed the Cabinet that given the large volume of procurement undertaken each year, it is appropriate and necessary for priority to be given to Mindef,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting here.
Fahmi said follow-up actions would involve the Digital Ministry and the National Digital Department to support the digitalisation of several procurement procedures.
He said the move aims to ensure procurement processes are more transparent, accountable and responsible, while reducing the risk of leakages.
Fahmi explained that Khaled also briefed the Cabinet on the latest developments and ongoing efforts related to current issues within the Malaysian Armed Forces.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had taken note of the views and explanations provided by Khaled, including statements made previously.
“Several matters raised today will be followed up. For details, refer to the defence minister,” he said, adding that the Cabinet had received the explanations with general positivity.
In his New Year’s message earlier this week, Khaled said Mindef is taking proactive steps to bridge the gap between public sector governance and private sector efficiency by placing integrity and sustainability at the core of its reforms.
He said the time has come for Mindef to implement the ESG framework in a more structured and comprehensive manner.
Efforts to strengthen governance have taken on added significance amid recent public scrutiny on the armed forces, including issues related to personnel welfare, procurement processes, and internal management of the nation’s security forces.
