KUALA LUMPUR: The Government Procurement Bill, which seeks to ensure transparency and integrity in public procurement, was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the second reading was scheduled for this parliamentary session, which concludes on Aug 28.
The bill was drafted based on principles of accountability, governance and transparency in government procurement, seeking the establishment of the Government Procurement Appeal Tribunal, and other related matters, with the objective of upholding integrity and fairness while maximising the use of public resources.
Clause 2 states that the proposed act will apply to persons who administer, conduct or implement government procurement, as well as those who participate in it.
Clause 3 provides for the non-application of the act to three categories of activities.
First, any procurement or acquisition of fiscal agency or depository services, liquidation and management services for regulated financial institutions, or services related to the sale, redemption and distribution of public debt.
Second, any appointment on a contract basis by the federation or any state for the delivery of public service.
Third, any procurement for providing international assistance funded by international organisations or foreign grants, or conducted under an international agreement relating to the stationing of troops or the joint implementation by the signatory.
Clause 6 provides for the administration, control and supervision of the proposed act by the Treasury secretary-general.
Clause 9 states that government procurement may also be administered by a procuring entity other than a ministry or a state ministry or department.
Clause 10 specifies that the authorities for approving government procurement are the minister, or in relation to a state, the menteri besar or chief minister, or any other authority as determined by the state government.
It may also be approved by a procurement board, a committee or a controlling officer.
Clause 63 provides for the establishment and composition of the Government Procurement Appeal Tribunal.
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