DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS – NO END IN SIGHT

Once again, the issue of direct negotiation for government contract was raised in parliament by Member of Parliament Machang Saifuddin Nasution recently, despite the pledge made by the government that direct negotiation should cease. He was referring to the on-going direct negotiation to be awarded for the sub-marine rescue services for the Royal Malaysian Navy billed at RM 2.45 million to a bumiputra company.

From what I gather, the company being called for direct negotiation is a bumiputra construction company having no previous experience in handling naval contracts. I am also told that it is the same company that was awarded the construction of the aircraft runway at the RMAF based at Gong Kedak, Kelantan, which is said to have major defects in the runway construction that could affect aircraft safety. It is also the same company that has been awarded some construction contracts for the Army Camp at Gemas.

One only need to search the background of this bumiputra company, and it will not be difficult to find that the owners of the company is well connected to some top government politicians. Otherwise, it will not be too easy for the company to be awarded contracts through direct negotiations by the government. As search at the Ministry of Defence will reveal it all, and those involved in approving the award of contracts. Will the MACC be willing to look into this?

The time has come for the government to take stock of the abuses by unscrupulous officials that has been awarding contracts through direct negotiations. I am not saying that these officials are corrupt, but rumors are abound implicating them with corrupt practices.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2 pm on Feb 26, 2009