KUALA LUMPUR: Civil society organisations (CSOs) urge that the Government Procurement Bill 2025 be sent to a Parliamentary Select Committee.
The CSO Platform for Reform, a coalition of more than 72 organisations, said the Bill contains “troubling provisions” that concentrate too much power in the hands of ministers.
According to the coalition, the Bill grants ministers sweeping authority to approve mega-contracts without financial ceilings, to overrule Procurement Boards and to influence appointments to those boards.
“This centralises procurement decisions in political offices and weakens safeguards against conflict of interest,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 28).
It also claims that all appointments remain under ministerial control, and complainants would have to channel grievances through the same agencies they are challenging.
The coalition further criticised provisions allowing ministers to exempt entire programmes from procurement rules or issue “public interest certificates” to override objections and appeals.
It also pointed out the broad investigative powers suggested for Treasury officers, such as warrantless searches and seizures with few safeguards.
The coalition said that without genuine checks and balances, defence contracts could remain shielded from scrutiny under the new Bill.
CSO Platform for Reform also urged the government to introduce structural safeguards that limit ministerial discretion, guarantee the independence of the Government Procurement Appeal Tribunal and close loopholes that allow exemptions.
It also called for greater transparency through open tender policies, particularly in high-risk sectors such as defence.
“The Government should delay the second reading of the Bill until these gaps are addressed,” the coalition said.
