KUALA LUMPUR – A government backbencher is demanding the Finance Ministry disclose the complete list of public projects awarded via direct negotiation when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-PN) was the prime minister.
Sim Tze Tzin (Bayan Baru-PH) said this should be done to reciprocate the Muhyiddin administration’s similar action against the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan (PH) government when it was in federal power.
“We want the government to list out all contracts given via negotiation under Muhyiddin’s government,” he said when debating Budget 2023 at the committee stage today.
“Let the rakyat know the value of the contracts given out under Pagoh. I urge the Finance Ministry to disclose this.”
Previously in August 2020, following the formation of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, the Finance Ministry, then under Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, released a full list of the 101 direct negotiation deals awarded by the PH government.
It was revealed then that RM6.61 billion worth of projects were awarded.
The Transport Ministry led with RM4.48 billion worth of deals – over two-thirds the overall award – the bulk of which was for the RM4.47 billion Klang Valley double-tracking project.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had stated then that it would investigate possible corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power.
Sim said any government would be forced to undertake direct negotiation in the event of emergency cases.
For instance, he said the PH administration then had to send doctors and vaccines to Sarawak after a rabid outbreak was identified in the state.
“Yes, there were (direct tenders) at the time, but they were based on pressing needs.
“However, what we saw under Pagoh’s government were widespread direct negotiations, including the Jana Wibawa initiative.”
Another contract given via direct tender that Sim drew attention to was the 15-year extension supposedly given to Spanco Sdn Bhd to maintain and manage its fleet of official cars and police patrol vehicles.
He claimed that the award was priced at RM4.62 billion, and that it would have cost much lower had Muhyiddin’s government stuck to PH’s decision for an open tender.
“In 2019, when PH was the government, many companies entered tenders. One company offered a contract of 15 years for RM3.96 billion... that’s a 17% price difference.”
Sim questioned if there was corruption in the government’s awarding of the contract to Spanco and urged for an investigation into the matter. – The Vibes, March 13, 2023
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