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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressed concerns regarding government procurement practices under his administration, stating his commitment to ensuring transparency in all government contracts
He affirmed that there are no direct negotiations allowed for government contracts since he assumed office more than two years ago.
"Some people may ask, 'Why are you asking us to donate, but you, as the Prime Minister, allow people to plunder the nation’s wealth?
“My answer is simple: I will not allow it," Anwar asserted, in his speech during the launch of the National Waqf Month at Putrajaya International Convention Centre, today.
"I am doing everything I can to clean up the mess that has been left behind.”
Some may say, 'What about before?' Well, that was before.
In my two years as Prime Minister, I have not allowed such practices."
Anwar, who also holds the Finance Minister portfolio, said all procurement processes are conducted transparently through a rigorous tender system, with oversight from the Ministry of Finance.
He warned against corrupt practices, citing the controversial Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project as an example of what he described as a disastrous situation for the country.
"Projects like these, where ships are left stranded for decades, causing billions to disappear, are a direct threat to our national defence," Anwar remarked.
"Purchases must be made transparently and at reasonable prices. I will not allow this kind of mismanagement, no matter how high the rank of the individuals involved. It would be a betrayal to our country’s defence system."
Anwar's strong stance on procurement and his pledge for reforms were initially made during his inaugural monthly assembly with officers in the Prime Minister’s Office in November 2022, when he announced that his government would no longer approve procurement without a proper tender process to prevent corruption and financial leakages.
Russian Security Council Secretary meets Anwar
Earlier, Anwar today welcomed a courtesy call from Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Perdana Putra, Putrajaya, to engage in discussions on matters related to security and defence.
Bernama reported that Shoigu arrived at approximately 10:15am, where he was met with a guard of honour by the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment.
Also present during the visit was Nail Latypov, the Russian Ambassador to Malaysia.
This visit follows the Prime Minister’s trip to Russia last year, where he attended an economic forum and shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During 2023, Russia was Malaysia’s eighth-largest trading partner among European countries, with bilateral trade reaching RM14.22 billion (USD 3.1 billion), marking a 15.6% year-on-year increase from RM12.3 billion (USD 2.79 billion) in 2022. - February 27, 2025
