KULIM: The Home Ministry views Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive to freeze procurement involving the military and police linked to corruption as a “reset” for agencies receiving the largest annual budget allocations.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he would refer the government decision to the ministry secretary-general to review every procurement previously approved under the Supply Bill.
“I see this as a reset, especially with recent issues involving misappropriation.
“Because of the large budget size, besides management expenses, there are development costs involving contracts, projects, and procurement tenders for aircraft, ships, and information technology systems.
“In the current situation, the prime minister believes there is a need to re-examine them, and from that need, the proposal to review them arose,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Padang Serai People’s Service Centre here last night.
Saifuddin said every ministry has its own procurement committee to determine the types of tenders opened to suppliers.
He added that every procurement must follow the requirements and specifications set by the end-user agency.
“If the procurement involves the National Registration Department, specifications are made there; if the police need new motorcycles, they will set the specifications.
“We welcome this because it relates to the direction the prime minister often mentions regarding avoiding misappropriation and good governance, especially in procurement systems, as every sen of the people’s money must be accounted for,” he said.
Earlier, Anwar announced that the government had ordered a temporary freeze on procurement decisions involving the military, police, and related agencies linked to corruption issues.
The prime minister said this was to allow the matters to be scrutinised and restructured to ensure procurement process regulations are fully complied with and free from elements of corruption.
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