Govt to introduce law to reduce red tape - Rafizi

The government will be tabling the Government Efficiency Commitment Act by the end of the year to reduce red tape, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.

It is an important first step to managing regulations in Malaysia, he said in his speech at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report launched today.

“That (the act) will bind agencies and ministries to make sure, for example, for every one regulation that is put in, take one regulation out,” he said.

Such legislation is common in other countries and is much needed in Malaysia as a lever for the development of micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs), he added.

Rafizi pointed out that those who wish to start their own business currently need to go through four or five agencies beforehand and each has its own lengthy procedures.

The government’s commitment to reduce regulations will be a first for the country, he added.

His ministry had spent a year working on the legislation, which has been presented to the National Economic Action Council twice.

“The government's decision is a commitment to simplify the way we do business.

“We will take steps through an act and this act will give the government guidelines or parameters regarding our commitment to simplify the process because the bureaucracy is more or less in line with an act that was introduced last year, the Fiscal Responsibility Act,” he said.

Ageing Nation Blueprint

In a press conference after the event, Rafizi revealed that his ministry had finished the Ageing Nation Blueprint.

He said it will be the main focus of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

“The Economy Ministry has already prepared the entire report and plan that was developed together with the World Bank.

“It will be presented at the National Economic Action Council in November 2024,” he told reporters.

After government-level discussions, the blueprint will be presented to the public, he added.

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COMMENT | Removing APs, import duties, and red tape