Proposed amendment of MACC Act to boost transparency among issues discussed at special Cabinet committee meeting

PUTRAJAYA: The special Cabinet committee on anti-corruption discussed the need to amend the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act to act against those who sell government tenders and projects.

It was among the issues discussed during the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday (April 19) here.

The Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) said the amendment was needed to boost integrity and transparency in government procurement and to deter the involvement of parties with vested interests such as cartels.

It said the meeting also agreed that the "beneficiary ownership" initiative must be expedited to ensure transparency in government procurement.

"Through this initiative, companies awarded with government projects must declare interested parties in their respective companies," it said in a statement.

The GIACC said the meeting also agreed with the proposals by the Finance Ministry (MOF) and the MACC to further the Integrity Pact to make it inline with international standards.

Among the proposals are for the Integrity Pact to be signed when companies register with the MOF and the Construction Industry Development Board.

Another suggestion is to share information on e-procurement systems with enforcement agencies.

The meeting also heard a proposal on the need to have an independent observer in public procurement.

It also noted the need for the government to take immediate measures to tackle the issue of MyKad forgery.

"The meeting agreed that there is a need for the National Registration Department to ensure the integrity of MyKad through high technology and stringent measures," it said.