KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 — 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 said the new provision will grant the government the authority to impose penalties on breaches of the procurement process.
“Under this bill, any party that violates procurement rules or tender procedures will be committing an offence under the law and may face legal consequences,” he told reporters after a community meet-and-greet event with the Chinese community here.
He said the bill applies not only to the Defence Ministry but to all ministries and government agencies to ensure procurement processes are conducted transparently and with accountability.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the procurement system, particularly in the defence sector, must be implemented with full transparency and free from corrupt practices or commissions that could burden the nation.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, noted that in the past, military asset procurement often allowed companies and agents to reap excessive profits, to the detriment of the country and weakening defence capabilities.
