Anwar: Billions saved from dismantling cartels, procurement reform

Anwar: Billions saved from dismantling cartels, procurement reform

SEBERANG JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government has saved billions of ringgit by dismantling cartels and reforming procurement practices.

He said these procurement reforms covered key sectors, including defence, healthcare and essential goods, allowing more funds to be channelled back to the people.

Drawing lessons from the National Defence Industry Policy, Anwar said government procurement must prioritise transparency, local capacity building and cost efficiency, even for defence assets.

“Even when we procure defence assets in the absence of local expertise, we must train our people and give space to local companies to develop industries,” he said in his speech at the launch of the new Seberang Jaya Hospital here today.

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Anwar said the same principle applied to healthcare procurement, where it was important to use quality generic medicines instead of relying on overpriced branded drugs controlled by cartels.

“We should not be dependent on cartels, whether in defence, health, public works or food supply, because in the end the people are pressured by inflated prices,” he added.