The bill, which had come under fire for purportedly giving too much unchecked power to the finance minister, was approved through a bloc vote today, with 33 senators in favour, eight against, two abstaining, and 14 absent.

Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the bill was not rushed, adding that the finance ministry had taken into account various proposals when drafting it, Bernama reported.

He said the proposed law will allow decisions made by the finance minister to be challenged and reviewed through a review panel process and subsequently an independent procurement appeal tribunal.

Amir also said the bill introduces punitive measures for violations.

“The finance minister is not exempt from accountability should he fail to declare interests or interfere in the procurement process,” he said when winding up the debate on the bill.

He said the finance ministry will work closely with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Malaysia Competition Commission, the police and other agencies to enforce the law once it receives royal assent.

Last week, the Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4) called on the Dewan Negara to refer the bill to the special select committee on law review after alleging that it was rushed through the Dewan Rakyat with only 16 days between the release of the white paper and parliamentary vote.

C4 said this left little time for the MPs, civil society, the business community or the public to scrutinise a law that will govern procurement at both federal and state levels.