No more approvals for procurements without tender, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that approvals for government procurements under his leadership can no longer be conducted without tender.

Speaking at a gathering with the staff of the Prime Minister’s Department in Putrajaya today, Anwar said the government under his leadership could not continue to allow leakage and corruption.

"There can no longer be procurement approvals without tender.

"Therefore, I would like to call on all of you to work together as a team. Let’s be committed to saving our country," he said.

He said when he was in charge of the finance ministry, he had given instructions not to allow his family members or close friends to have interests in government-related projects.

Anwar, who was sworn in as prime minister on Nov 24, said he was not interested in "digging" up the problems of the previous government, but would instead focus on working to improve the people’s lives.

"The people’s lives, in general, are not as bad as in some countries, but they are in a rather difficult situation.

"I’m not interested in digging up old stories... what’s important is the future, what we can and should do in preparing ourselves for the future," he said.

Also present at the gathering were Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali and Attorney-General Idrus Harun.