PRESS RELEASE
Transparency International Malaysia Decries Rushed Procurement Bill 2025
Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) is gravely concerned by the rushed manner in which the Government Procurement Bill 2025 is being pushed through Parliament. All three readings of this critical legislation have been scheduled within the span of a single week – a process that denies proper scrutiny and public input on a law that will determine how billions in public funds are spent.
“Pushing through all three readings of a far-reaching procurement law in just one week is reckless and unacceptable. Such a breakneck process silences meaningful debate and undermines the credibility of reform,” said Raymon Ram, President of TI-M.
TI-M notes with alarm that civil society organisations (CSOs), including TI-M itself, were not given access to the Bill’s text prior to its tabling in Dewan Rakyat. Stakeholders only saw the Bill for the first time when it was introduced this week. Although the Ministry of Finance held several engagement sessions (sesi libat urus), no draft text was ever shared.
“Consultations without the Bill in hand are not real consultations. They are box-ticking exercises. Malaysians deserve genuine participation, not empty gestures,” Ram added.
The government’s decision to fast-track this Bill contradicts its own promises of transparency and accountability. Public procurement reform has been repeatedly presented as central to the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Yet by bulldozing the Bill through without public review or proper debate, the government is sending the opposite signal.
“This process betrays the very principles of open governance and anti-corruption that the government claims to champion,” Ram said.
Malaysia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), a legally binding convention for all States Parties. Article 13 of the convention requires the inclusion of society in anti-corruption efforts and policymaking, while Article 9 requires transparency and independence in public procurement processes. Rushing the Bill without genuine consultation and embedding wide ministerial discretion is inconsistent with Malaysia’s obligations under UNCAC.
TI-M calls for an immediate pause in the legislative process. The government must delay further readings to allow time for public review, expert analysis, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders. Parliamentarians must also demand proper deliberation instead of rubber-stamping a Bill that excludes public scrutiny.
In addition, TI-M strongly urges key amendments to strengthen the Bill before it is passed:
Remove broad ministerial exemption powers: The Bill grants the Finance Minister and Chief Ministers sweeping discretion to exempt projects or entities from procurement rules. “These powers are dangerous loopholes that can be abused. They must be eliminated,” Ram stressed.
Establish independent oversight: The proposed appeal tribunal and Registrar remain under executive control. TI-M calls for genuinely independent oversight mechanisms, insulated from political influence, with external experts or parliamentary committees playing a role.
Mandate transparency: The law must require mandatory publication of procurement awards, contracts, and beneficial ownership of winning companies. Open data and public registers are proven tools to expose conflicts of interest and prevent corruption.
In conclusion, TI-M reiterates that while the intent to legislate procurement reform is commendable, process and content both matter.
“A law rushed through without consultation, and riddled with discretionary loopholes, will not clean up procurement. It will only create a hollow reform – one that looks good on paper but fails in practice. The government must delay, amend, and get this law right. Anything less is a betrayal of public trust,” said Ram.
Issued by
Raymon Ram,
President,
Transparency International Malaysia.
