KOTA KINABALU – The RM1.13 billion Sarawak-Sabah link road is not under Jana Wibawa, the economic generation programme to empower competent Bumiputera contractors, said the Public Works Ministry.
This was in response to Warisan lawmaker Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman who had in Parliament called Putrajaya to come clean on the project, saying the contract was awarded to a non-Bumiputera firm, Samling Resources Sdn Bhd, under the Bumiputera economic initiative.
Azis also sought clarification on the excess funds of RM350 million after Samling Resources awarded the project to Kimlun Sdn Bhd.
In a statement, the ministry said the 77km Sarawak-Sabah link road from Bandar Lawas to the Long Lopeng intersection was awarded to Samling Resources via direct negotiation, and was approved by the finance minister in January last year.
“The decision was based on consent from former prime ministers Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“The selection of Samling Resources, a subsidiary of the Samling group, was made based on the competitive and expertise factor, as well as the logistics management offered by the company.
“The subcontract value does not include other costs in the implementation of the project like land acquisition, utility relocations, consultancy, and other side costs,” said the statement, adding that Kimlun is only a subcontractor appointed by main contractor Samling Resources for the scope of construction worth RM780 million. – The Vibes, November 26, 2021
