The Private Agencies (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to improve licensing, strengthen oversight of the security industry, and enhance vetting processes.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara today passed the Private Agencies (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The bill aims to improve the process of issuing and renewing licences for private agencies.
It also seeks to strengthen regulatory oversight of the private security industry and enhance the security vetting process.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the amendments will increase transparency without adding to the workload of the Inspector-General of Police.
“This is important to ensure smooth implementation and enforcement of this Act on the ground,” he said when winding up the debate.
He explained it enables the Home Minister to issue administrative directives to detail the implementation of existing provisions.
This avoids the need for constant amendments through a lengthy legislative process.
The bill also requires private agencies to prioritise recruiting local security guards over foreign workers.
Licences must not be leased or rented to other parties.
“These licensing conditions are a form of regulatory control to prevent misuse,” Shamsul Anuar said.
He added that board members and staff must pass security vetting and must not be bankrupt.
Enforcement of the Act will be handled by the Home Ministry’s enforcement division.
The security vetting process will be managed by the Royal Malaysia Police under the Inspector-General of Police’s supervision.
The bill was passed with a majority voice vote after being debated by four senators.
