THE Pakatan Harapan government will introduce new conditions to limit direct negotiations for only certain cases, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

He said the conditions were some of the measures taken by the government to reduce the number of corruption cases involving government officials.

“In cases such as buying weapons, there are certain equipment one company has so there will be direct negotiation with that company. That is an exception involving the Armed Forces but not on others,” Dr Mahathir said after chairing the 10th Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption.

“And to do so, the government agencies involved must explain why there is a direct negotiation and they must get the approval from the finance minister,” he said.

Dr Mahathir then said that a new guideline on how to issue a support letter for all government agencies will also be formed.

He added that for the upcoming Budget 2020, PH will uphold Malaysia’s aspiration to become a corruption-free country and set a high standard for good governance through initiatives under the National Anti-Corruption Plan.

“The meeting today also took note about the need to set up a new guideline for support letters. The new guideline is to be followed by every government agencies at the federal level and it will extend to every state government.

“As for the 2020 budget speech that is coming soon, the government is adamant to safeguard the country’s aspiration to ensure integrity and to set a high standard for good governance,” Dr Mahathir said. – September 19, 2019.