Sarawak DAP slams award of Pan Borneo Highway contract to non-Sarawakian firm

SARAWAK DAP has asked Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and the Sarawak Public Department (JKR) why the “lucrative contract” for the maintenance of the Pan Borneo Highway was not awarded to a Sarawak company.

State DAP chief Chong Chien Jen said the RM70 million three-year contract was awarded to PBH Asset Management Sdn Bhd, a company he described as “effectively 99% owned by non-Sarawakians”.

“A company search of PBH Asset Management Sdn Bhd revealed that PBH Asset is 99% owned by West Malaysia(ns),” he said.

He also disclosed there are two shareholders in PBH Asset – Multimur Roadways Sdn Bhd and Infrapasti Sdn Bhd.

Multimur, he added, holds 467,500 shares in PBH Asset while Infrapasti Sdn Bhd holds 382,500 shares.

“Multimur Roadways Sdn Bhd has two shareholders, a West Malaysian whose IC bears ‘04’ in its 7th and 8th digit (presumably from Malacca) who holds 1,217,500 (96%) shares in Multimur and another shareholder whose IC bears ‘13’ in its 7th and 8th digit holds 50,000 (4%) shares in Multimur.”

13 denotes that the person holding the IC is from Sarawak.

“Infrapasti Sdn Bhd has only one shareholder whose IC bears ‘10’ in its 7th and 8th digit (presumably from Selangor) and he is a single shareholder holding RM1 paid-up share in Infrapasti.”

Chong said with such shareholdings, PBH Asset is effectively 2.2% owned by Sarawakians while 97.8% owned by non-Sarawakians.

The Padungan assemblyman and Stampin MP said it “just doesn’t make sense” why a company that is only 2.2% owned by a Sarawakian could be awarded the RM70 million contract.

“This goes against what we have always been fighting for. The (state) government should help local entrepreneurs, more so, when the minister of works himself is a Sarawakian.”

Chong is also demanding that Nanta give “a full explanation” on the selection of PBH Asset – What was the selection process? How many companies participated in the selection process? And on what grounds were the others rejected?

Chong said since PBH Asset was “merely a holding company having only RM257,615 net asset”, he questioned the expertise and financial capability the company has to be awarded a multi-million ringgit contract.

“Both the shareholders of PBH Asset also do not have experience in the construction field. What justification and qualification does PBH Asset possess that qualifies it to be appointed by the Ministry of Works?

“The minister of works and JKR Sarawak owe it to the people of Sarawak to provide clear justifications on (these) questions.

“This is especially so given that (the) GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) has always been claiming that it is fighting for the interest of Sarawakians, but contrary to that claim, the award of this road maintenance contract not only did not help local contractors but also jeopardises the public interest of Sarawakian road users,” Chong added. – September 7, 2024.