Some 4.3 million transactions in government procurement amounting to RM63.7 billion were made online from 2000 to 2011, according to Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang.
He said the system was used by 68% of the over 110,000 registered vendors with the Ministry of Finance. The e-procurement initiative started in 2000 to enable government agencies to procure goods and services from suppliers.
Ambrin said the e-procurement system and e-bidding are expected to contribute towards greater transparency and integrity in government procurement.
"E-bidding or competitive bidding has proven to be an effective tool because of the significant cost savings to the government. Where possible it should be the most preferred means of procurement," he said in his keynote address at the National Procurement Forum for the Public and Private Sectors 2012 today.
Ambrin said through e-bidding, the procurement process can be shortened to only 23 days instead of six months if it was done manually.
