Flaws in Procurement Bill Must Be Addressed
There will be long term damages to the country if flaws in the Government Procurement Bill are not addressed, a joint statement issued by The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) and 22 other civil society organisations (CSOs) said on Sept 9.
The Bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara in a hasty manner, without much consultation on the draft bill, the statement said, adding that the provisions granting the Minister of Finance a disproportionate degree of power over public expenditure was greatly alarming.
The Minister of Finance has been empowered to approve procurement contracts, set the procedures by which they are approved, and even to appoint members of the Appeal Tribunal. The given wide powers of exemption also makes applicability of the law subject to their discretion, the statement said.
It also said the check and balance mechanisms were weak, and the Appeal Tribunal was non-independent from the influence of Ministers, and that the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Finance and Economy was not consulted at all during the drafting process of the Bill.
Apart from other measures, the signatories also called on the government to commit to facilitating open and constructive dialogue on all Bills of public importance even if it is not legally mandated. Furthermore, the requirement under Standing Order 80B(3) must be upheld – future bills must go through the relevant Parliamentary Select Committees first. The full text of the statement can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1298889631939558
The Time Has Come for a Fair University Admission System
It is time for the government to act decisively and introduce a common university entrance exam and make meritocracy the cornerstone of higher education, says Member of Parliament for Klang, Ganabatirau Veraman.
In a statement on Sept 13, Ganabatirau said the country needs needs a Common University Entrance Examination (CUEE) for all pre-university pathways — whether STPM, matriculation, Asasi, A Levels, diploma, or foundation. This single exam should be the gatekeeper for entry into public universities, just as competitive exams are used in the civil service.
A common exam ensures all students are measured against the same yardstick. It removes perceptions of bias, promotes healthy competition, and restores confidence in the system. Most importantly, it places merit back at the heart of admissions.
Malaysia aspires to be a developed nation. But we cannot achieve this if our brightest minds feel alienated in their own country. A fair education system is not just about university entry — it is about nation building, nurturing talent, and assuring every child that hard work will be rewarded.
Public universities are the gateway for many young Malaysians to secure their future but year after year, top scorers, especially Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) candidates, are denied entry into public universities, while others with comparatively lower achievements from matriculation programmes secure coveted seats.
This imbalance has become the elephant in the room. We cannot pretend the system is fair when stories of straight-A students being rejected for medicine, pharmacy, law, or engineering placements flood the public space. equivalent to A Levels. Yet at home, STPM candidates are sidelined compared to matriculation students, who undergo a one-year programme with different grading standards.
The quota system and weightage given to matriculation results have reduced the chances for STPM students to enter high-demand courses. Effort and talent are not rewarded equally. If this continues, we risk discouraging excellence while perpetuating structures that divide rather than unite.
Separation of Attorney General and Public Prosecutor offices: C4 Center welcomes move, says independence from the executive crucial, and draft amendments must be released early
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) welcomes the decision of the government to finally undertake the separation of the offices of the Attorney General (AG) and Public Prosecutor (PP). However, the government must develop this reform with due regard for the inadequacies and failures in the present system to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Under the current framework, the AG – who is appointed directly on the Prime Minister’s advice – holds the role of the PP ex officio. The AG is constitutionally granted almost absolute discretion to initiate, conduct, and discontinue criminal proceedings. This creates a significant risk of executive interference in the decision-making process for prosecutions.
It also underlined that a prosecuting authority must not serve the government of the day. It must serve the public interest, the constitution, and the demands of justice. These matters supersede political ebbs and flows.
Among other requests, it said the the selection and appointment process must be open and transparent. There must be statutorily defined criteria for appointment, open calls for applications, and a transparent process of consideration through a parliamentary select committee.
— WE