BANGI: Only construction companies with ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) certification will be allowed to bid for government contracts worth more than RM100mil, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said this requirement will come into force in 2026 for Class G7 construction companies registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) when bidding for government contracts.
"The National Governance Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has agreed in principle that Class G7 companies involved in projects above RM100mil must obtain the ABMS certification within the next two years.
"This will reflect the companies' commitment to eliminate corruption when bidding for tenders under the Finance Ministry," he told reporters after the launching of the 3rd National Research Conference on Governance, Integrity and Anti Corruption here on Thursday (Sept 26).
The ABMS is geared towards helping companies detect, prevent and respond to incidences of bribery.
It also encompasses compliance with relevant laws and regulations including voluntary commitments aimed at weeding out corruption.
Azam said the two-year grace period is to allow the companies concerned to make arrangements for the certification.
"At the moment, these companies can still bid for government contracts.
"But they will not be allowed to bid for projects with the Finance Ministry if they do not have the ABMS after two years.
"That is the condition," he added.
Azam said the decision was to ensure that government projects are not affected by corruption and leakages.
Earlier, during his welcoming address, Azam said an international study found that the global construction industry loses about RM5 trillion annually to corruption and leakages.
