KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 28): The Centre to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4) has called for revisions to the Government Procurement Bill 2025, warning that the long-awaited legislation introduces provisions that could undermine transparency and accountability, including expanded ministerial powers, weak oversight, and disproportionate enforcement authority.

In a statement, the anti-graft watchdog also urged the government to delay the Bill’s tabling to allow sufficient time for stakeholder review and feedback, stressing that meaningful public participation is vital if the law is to credibly reform procurement and restore public trust.

The Bill, tabled for its first reading in Parliament on Monday, comes after years of advocacy from civil society groups demanding stronger safeguards in the wake of recurring procurement scandals.

Among C4’s concerns are provisions that grant almost unchecked powers of approval to the finance minister and state chief ministers; establish an appeal tribunal that is not independent of the executive; concentrate authority in the Registrar of Government Procurement; weaken accountability through multiple loopholes; and empower Treasury and state financial officers with investigative powers that, in some cases, exceed those of the police.

“The Government Procurement Bill, in its current form, is institutionally dangerous. It concentrates excessive discretion in ministers, embeds conflicts of interest, creates a registry open to abuse, and arms Treasury officials with investigative powers that even police officers exercise under stricter safeguards. These weaknesses cut directly against the Bill’s stated objective of advancing transparency and accountability,” said C4. 

"It is crucial to note that for many critical stakeholders, this is the first time the Bill has been sighted — this includes MPs, government agencies, civil society organisations, private sector actors, and the general public.

“For a law as impactful and far-reaching as this, it is imperative that the government allows adequate time for scrutiny, consultation, and refinement. If the government is truly sincere about transparency and reform, this Bill in its current form must not be passed,” it added.