KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN) today took Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (Air Hitam-BN) to task for supposedly failing to ensure Bumiputera involvement in the ongoing East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
However, the minister denied the allegations, insisting the government is committed to ensuring that local contractors get at least 40% of the project’s civil works.
Speaking in Parliament, Tajuddin initially asked Wee why there is not a single Bumiputera contractor involved in the multi-billion ringgit project that will run from Port Klang to Kota Baru, Kelantan.
“Please look at this. Don’t just syiok only. Look at Bumiputera and local contractors’ involvement,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
In response, Wee said Tajuddin’s claim is false, pointing to supplemental agreement number 5 (SA5) signed during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) era that required involvement of locals.
To this, Tajuddin, who is the chief of the government’s backbenchers, said: “That’s only a condition, but it is not being observed.”
Wee replied that the government’s approach abides by the agreement in the signed SA5, which states that 40% of civil works is allocated for local contractors, of which 30% are for Bumiputeras and the remaining 10% for non-Bumis.
He said a special cabinet committee has also been set up to see that this milestone is achieved.
“We will require that the main contractor, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), follow all the conditions promised under the SA5, which was signed in 2019.
“We will also monitor monthly and annually to ensure that our target (of local contractors’ involvement) is achieved by 2024.”
In response to a question on whether the federal government has sorted out disagreements with the Selangor government over the rail’s alignment in the state, Wee said he has met all representatives of states involved in the ECRL project to iron out their differences.
He said although Selangor has yet to give its final approval on the alignment, coordination between the state and federal sides is necessary to ensure the project is beneficial to all.
“It is the federal government’s desire to address any issue with Selangor. We have already discussed various issues, and we take note of all views.
“We have also discussed the way forward in the cabinet. We are waiting, and willing, to continue discussion with Selangor.” – The Vibes, October 5, 2021
