PARLIAMENT | The government now aims to table anti-rent-seeking legislation in 2027, with Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir acknowledging that “Ali Baba” arrangements are not defined as criminal offences.

“The challenge is that, at present, practices such as selling licences or engaging in ‘Ali Baba’ arrangements are not defined as criminal offences,” Akmal told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time today.

The term “Ali Baba” has traditionally referred to arrangements where a party entitled to a contract, licence or preferential opportunity acts as a front before transferring the actual business to another party in return for a fee or share of the profits.

Its usage has since broadened to include proxy arrangements such as locals renting licences or premises to foreigners.