SELLING government contracts will be a crime under new laws being drafted now, Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said today.

“The cabinet has said this, and the Prime Minister this morning in his opening remarks said that any contract awarded and sold or transferred to another party will be terminated immediately.

“The principle is clear and we are now discussing with the relevant agencies on how to draft a law to enforce this,” said Azmin during a press conference at the end of the Congress on the Future of Bumiputeras and the Nation in Kuala Lumpur today.

National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) chief Abu Kassim has already suggested a law to stop economic sabotage.

“This law will be able to prosecute the seller and the purchaser of government contracts,” said Azmin.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that government-awarded contracts or approved permits will be terminated immediately if they are “sold” to other parties.

He said Malays were sidelining themselves by selling off their rights for a quick profit. – September 1, 2018.