Minister: Putrajaya targets 2027 for anti-rent seeking law

The Malaysian government plans to introduce a Bill by 2027 to criminalize rent-seeking activities, as outlined by Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

The proposed law aims either to create new legislation or amend existing laws to curb practices where business owners and permit holders rent out government-issued permits for profit.

A comprehensive study, involving industry players and stakeholders, will guide the legislative framework to ensure practicality and effectiveness.

This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's broader anti-corruption agenda, with specific penalties yet to be finalized.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — The government is working to table a Bill that would criminalise rent-seeking by 2027, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir told the House of Representatives this morning.

Akmal, who is also Johor Bahru MP, said among the approaches being considered is either a completely new law specifically related to anti-rent seeking, or amendments to existing legal provisions.

The outcome would depend on the study and the coordination process among stakeholders, the minister noted.

“This study also takes into account the views of industry players, enforcement agencies, relevant ministries, state governments, and other stakeholders to ensure that the drafted approach is comprehensive and aligned with current needs,” Akmal said during Question Time.

“In this regard, the legislative drafting process requires in-depth examination to ensure every proposal developed is practical, effective, and implementable,” he added.

“Based on current plans, the Ministry of Economy intends for the drafting of this new law or amendments to legislation related to anti-rent seeking to be tabled in Parliament in 2027.”

The Anwar administration first publicly announced its intention to formulate anti-rent-seeking, or “Anti-Ali Baba”, policy and legislation on July 10, 2023. The announcement came directly from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself following a meeting of the National Economic Action Council (MTEN).

Akmal’s predecessor Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli subsequently spearheaded the framework under the Ministry of Economy throughout late 2023 and 2024.

Rent-seeking is the practice in which local business owners, permit holders, or license holders sublet or rent out their government-issued permits, licenses, contracts, or business premises to third parties without actively managing the business.

The government said the culture has persisted for decades, which analysts said was rampant under Barisan Nasional rule. Anwar upon taking office in 2022 said he would try to eradicate the practice as part of a broader fight against corruption.

Asked what sort of penalties would be prescribed by the Bill, Akmal said his ministry is looking at a comprehensive draft that would act as effective deterrence.

“When we elevate and intend to continue with this plan, it is more in the form of deterrence or aimed at preventing this practice from continuing to thrive in the country,” he said.

“Hence regarding the specific form of punishment, whether in the form of fines or imprisonment, and so on, that will only be known once we complete this framework after gathering all viewpoints, including from a legal perspective.”

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马来西亚政府计划在 2027 年前推出一项法案，将寻租活动定为犯罪行为，经济部长阿克马尔·纳斯鲁拉·莫哈末·纳西尔概述了这一计划。

拟议的法律旨在制定新的法律或修改现有的法律，以遏制企业主和许可证持有者出租政府颁发的许可证牟利的行为。

一项由行业参与者和利益相关者参与的综合研究将指导立法框架的制定，以确保其实用性和有效性。

这项举措与总理安瓦尔·易卜拉欣更广泛的反腐败议程相一致，具体处罚措施尚未最终确定。

吉隆坡，10 月 14 日——经济部长阿克马尔·纳斯鲁拉·莫哈末·纳西尔今天上午在国会表示，政府正在努力提交一项法案，该法案将在 2027 年前将寻租行为定为刑事犯罪。

同时也是柔佛州新山国会议员的阿克马尔表示，正在考虑的方案包括制定一部全新的专门针对反寻租的法律，或者修改现有的法律条文。

部长指出，最终结果将取决于研究结果和各利益相关方之间的协调过程。

阿克马尔在问答环节表示：“这项研究还考虑了行业参与者、执法机构、相关部委、州政府和其他利益相关者的意见，以确保制定的方案全面且符合当前需求。”

他补充说：“在这方面，立法起草过程需要进行深入审查，以确保提出的每一项建议都切实可行、有效且可实施。”

“根据目前的计划，经济部打算在 2027 年将这项新法律的草案或与反寻租相关的立法修正案提交议会审议。”

安华政府于 2023 年 7 月 10 日首次公开宣布其制定反寻租或“反阿里巴巴”政策和立法的意图。该声明由首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣在国家经济行动理事会 (MTEN) 会议后亲自宣布。

阿克马尔的前任拿督斯里拉菲兹·拉姆利随后在2023年底和2024年期间，在经济部的领导下，牵头推进了该框架。

寻租是指当地企业主、许可证持有人或执照持有人将政府颁发的许可证、执照、合同或营业场所转租或出租给第三方，而没有积极经营该业务的做法。

政府表示，这种风气已持续数十年，分析人士指出，在国民阵线执政期间，这种风气尤为盛行。安华在2022年就任时表示，他将努力根除这种做法，以此作为更广泛的反腐败斗争的一部分。

当被问及该法案将规定什么样的处罚时，阿克马尔表示，他的部门正在研究一份全面的草案，以起到有效的威慑作用。

他说：“当我们提升并打算继续执行这项计划时，更多的是为了起到威慑作用，或者说是为了防止这种做法在该国继续盛行。”

“因此，关于具体的惩罚形式，无论是罚款还是监禁等等，只有在我们收集了包括法律观点在内的所有意见，并完成这一框架之后，才能知道。”

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