RM2.95bil in compliance costs saved through bureaucratic reforms, says chief sec

Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar stated that bureaucratic reforms have resulted in an estimated RM2.95 billion in compliance-cost savings through 447 projects under the government's red-tape reform initiative. Shamsul explained that the savings were determined using a formula developed by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, as reported by the Borneo Post.

He revealed that another 500 bureaucratic reform projects are planned for the following year, with a targeted savings of RM2.5 billion. The reforms are part of broader efforts to enhance public service efficiency. Shamsul highlighted that Malaysia's improved performance in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, which has climbed from 34th in 2024 to 15th in 2025, can be attributed to these initiatives.

The country's position as second in the Asean, behind Singapore, is also a testament to the impact of these reforms. Shamsul emphasized that government efficiency is a key contributor to this ranking, which has improved from 25th to 14th. He stressed that greater efficiency must be grounded in integrity, accountability, and public trust, noting that integrity extends beyond merely adhering to rules or avoiding corruption.