The government is mulling a new law in its efforts to clamp down on “Ali Baba” contracts, which involve the selling of contracts or approved permits meant exclusively for the bumiputera community to non-bumiputeras for a quick profit.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said cabinet ministers have taken heed of the practice.

"The principle is clear. Any party or individual who sells or transfers contracts awarded to them to a third party, the contract will immediately be put to a stop," he said in a press conference after the government's Future of Bumiputeras and the Nation Congress (KBN 2018), at the Kuala Lumpur  Convention Centre today.

Azmin said the government is currently discussing the issue with enforcement authorities, and are considering implementing an Economic Sabotage Act, a suggestion made by the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) head Abu Kassim Mohamed during the congress today.

Azmin said action will be taken not only against parties or individuals who sell the contract, but also against the buyers, as they are deemed to be challenging the constitution which guarantees an economic structure for bumiputeras and Malaysians.

"We will bring this matter to Parliament for discussion," he said.