Bureaucratic reforms save RM2.95bil in compliance costs

 Chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar says 447 projects have been completed under the red-tape reform initiative, with another 500 planned for next year.

Chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said greater efficiency must be underpinned by integrity, accountability, and public trust. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Bureaucratic reforms have generated an estimated RM2.95 billion in compliance-cost savings through 447 projects implemented under the government’s red-tape reform initiative, says chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Shamsul said the savings were calculated using a compliance-cost formula developed by Malaysia Productivity Corporation, reported Borneo Post.

“We will undertake another 500 bureaucratic reform projects next year, and we are targeting RM2.5 billion in savings,” he told reporters after the Sarawak Integrity Day 2026 celebration in Kuching.

He said the reforms were part of wider efforts to improve public service efficiency.

Shamsul said Malaysia’s improved performance in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking reflected the impact of such efforts, with the country rising from 34th in 2024 to 23rd in 2025 and 15th this year, placing it second in Asean behind Singapore.

“Government efficiency is one of the contributors to this position,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s government efficiency ranking improved from 25th to 14th, while its business efficiency ranking rose from 32nd to 16th.

Shamsul also stressed that greater efficiency must be underpinned by integrity, accountability and public trust, saying integrity went beyond simply complying with rules or avoiding corruption. - FMT