KUALA LUMPUR: Several key institutional reform bills - including the Ombudsman Bill, Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill and Political Financing Bill - are currently undergoing detailed stakeholder engagement before they can be finalised and tabled, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister was responding to Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Anak Brodi (GPS–Sri Aman), who asked for updates on the government’s institutional and legal reforms and whether these measures would help improve Malaysia’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
Anwar said the relevant minister had already presented the policy decisions to the Cabinet and obtained approval to proceed.
“As I have explained, the minister concerned has presented the policy decisions for Cabinet approval on the FOI, political funding and the distribution of powers involving federal and state officers.
“All four are now in engagement processes,” he said during Question Time on Tuesday (Nov 18).
He said the reforms must go through several layers of scrutiny, including parliamentary processes, select committees and consultations with the Attorney General, as well as engagements with “various quarters that must be considered before the bills are finalised”.
“According to the minister, these bills can be tabled next year - some early in the year and some by mid-year,” he added.
Anwar stressed, however, that while legislative reforms are important, effective implementation remains the key factor in strengthening governance and improving the CPI.
“The most important thing is implementation. Due to the commitment and determination shown by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Inland Revenue Board, the police, Customs and others, we managed to recover RM15.5bil.
“You can talk about laws, regulations and equipment, but without political will, none of this would have happened.
“This deserves attention because the actions taken have produced successful outcomes,” he added.
