KUALA LUMPUR: The government is currently studying and refining steps to draft the Anti-Rent Seeking Act, better known as the Anti Ali Baba Act.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the study includes identifying the longstanding issues and challenges of rent-seeking, scope and jurisdiction to be given to the implementing agency, procedures for supervision and enforcement, financial implications and service administration.
"The government is currently in the process of conducting a study to prepare the relevant legal framework (for the Act).
"The objective of the study is to identify detailed aspects related to rent-seeking and actions needed to strengthen enforcement aspects.
"The Act will also specify the interpretation of rent-seeking, levels of involved activities, violation aspects, the channel for complaints and arising liabilities," he said in a parliamentary written reply.
Rafizi said this in response to Datuk Ahmad Amzad Mohamed@Hashim (PN-Kuala Terengganu) who enquired the minister to outline the government's approach to the Anti Ali Baba Act.
At the same time, Rafizi said the proposal for the Act was done as the government realised that there were no existing laws currently in force that could comprehensively and effectively curb rent-seeking issues.
This, he said, includes the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, Competition Act 2010, Companies Act 2016 and other existing by-laws that are still insufficient to curb the issue.
"When there are parties leasing business licences to foreign workers, the licence can be revoked due to violations of conditions stipulated under the licence terms or premises under the local authority.
"Foreigners are not allowed to apply for or own hawker, small trade or business premises, or even retail shops, eateries, car workshops and market licences in accordance with the Hawkers By-laws and Trade, Business and Industrial By-laws.
"(However,) in this case, the issue persists widely due to weaknesses in several aspects, including lenient penalties and enforcement deficiencies despite existing regulations."