ILTIZAM BILL TO CURB CORRUPT PRACTICES, BOOST SME GROWTH -- SAMENTA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- The Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) Malaysia said the Government Service Efficiency Commitment Bill 2025 (Iltizam) would significantly curb corrupt practices in the public sector and provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the much-needed boost for productivity, growth, and expansion.

In a statement today, the association said the Iltizam Bill encapsulates key measures to strengthen governance, transparency, and accountability across government entities. 

"Among the most notable provisions are those aimed at reducing bureaucratic red tape and promoting greater integrity within the public service, which are critical components in the fight against corruption. 

"The provisions will also enhance efficiency and productivity, resulting in increased business profitability," it said.

SAMENTA said the Iltizam Bill directly addresses these issues by introducing mechanisms to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and to benchmark government service delivery, promoting greater accountability and transparency across all levels of government.

It said the legislation will curb duplicative procedures and opportunities for corruption by mandating periodic reviews of regulatory instruments and imposing stricter reporting requirements.

Its emphasis on clear performance benchmarks sets the stage for stronger oversight and fosters an environment where SMEs can thrive without incurring the added costs or risks of corrupt practices, it said.

SAMENTA president Datuk William Ng said the bill is a significant milestone in Malaysia’s journey to becoming a cleaner, more productive, and competitive nation, as corruption disproportionately affects SMEs because they typically lack the resources to navigate the complexities of bribery-driven processes.

He said this new legislation directly addresses SMEs’ primary challenges by establishing stronger guidelines for accountability and transparency.

 "SAMENTA stands firmly behind this legislation and is prepared to work closely with our members to ensure its successful implementation. 

"We are confident that the resulting improvements in service delivery and oversight will encourage SMEs to expand, innovate, and contribute more robustly to the country’s economic growth," he said.

-- BERNAMA