YOURSAY 'Show competency, accountability and transparency, and punish the wrongdoers. It's as simple as that.'

RM2mil S'gor Raya hampers supplied without open tender

your say Hello: Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, don't obfuscate, please check into the matter and inform the public if there were tenders called for in the relevant years.

You must show that you are following to your motto of CAT (competency, accountability and transparency).

AnakMalaysia: Let us be open and transparent about this, no need to deny or finger-point.

Just do the investigation, and if it's true that the process was not according to procedure, then admit it and face the consequences.

Show to Umno and the world that Pakatan believes in fairness and transparency and accept responsibility for whatever it does.

Sometimes we make mistakes, that's normal. Just admit it, correct it, and don't do it again. That is the way to govern a family, a society, a state or a country.

Don't hide them under the carpet like Umno and its gang.

The Malaysian: The fact that a company with a "BN-linked director" was awarded business is enough to say there is sufficient transparency.

Move on, otherwise you are counting ‘kacang putih' and detract from the big issues of the day. No doubt, those who have not followed procedures should be reprimanded.

But do not be petty-minded and seek self-destruction, which will just play into the hands of the BN leaders. There is much work to do by all Malaysians, so stay focused.

Bender: This kind of exposure can be detrimental to Pakatan Rakyat's chances in the coming election. But it has to be done nonetheless because we can no longer tolerate corruption.

If need be, sack those people who try to bring such culture into the fold. Show no mercy.

Shadow8: I am confused. The fact that a company linked to an Umno person was awarded some projects by a Pakatan government because the price was good when compared to the rest is a bad thing?

I think it shows they are willing to put their politics aside for the good of the people.

Anonymous #34899172: Are we talking about how much per kg of rice? We do not need to have a open tender to buy 1,000kg of rice.

Just go to to Giant supermarket and check out how much for a 10kg rice pack and do the math. If the difference is negligible, then it is okay.

The items in the hamper are common enough that we can figure out the cost easily from our local supermarkets.

Also to go through a whole bidding exercise costs money. If RM10 million or more was involved, then it may be different.

Wira: This is not about good or bad price. This is about not following the state government directive that all procurement above RM50,000 must be conducted through open tender.

Why would a Pakatan government give a crony tender to an Umno assemblyman in Johor? Mishandling (intentional?) by a BN-leaning civil service is a possible explanation. Pakatan exco members cannot be watching over the civil service all the time.

It's better to change the government in Putrajaya so that we may get a correct alignment from the civil service. The exco provides the policies. But the implementation of the policies is carried out by the civil service.

Ghkok: So what exactly is the issue? Is it:

1) A company with an Umno director was awarded the contract?

2) Or the price is too high?

3) Or that Xavier is not aware of how the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (Upen) selects the supplier?

4) Or Upen insiders are still harbouring close contacts with Umno people and thus undermining the state by foregoing open tenders and favouring an Umno company

5) Or the "source" could be another Umno person who was denied the chance of getting the contract and therefore now targeting to undermine Pakatan and the Umno rival at one go?

The writer needs to be clearer and zoom into the real issue.

Vgeorgemy: Dr Xavier Jayakumar's explanation is very credible. The government of the day decides policy matters like the distribution of free hampers to the poor and underprivileged during Hari Raya and Deepavali.

Once the policy is approved at exco level, it must be implemented by civil servants - Upen - without fear and favour. If this is what happened, then the Selangor administration followed the essence of our constitution.

Anonymous #19098644: It's time to determine the actual procurement process. What actually transpired, who facilitated and approved it.

Strange isn't it, for Pakatan to benefit an Umno politician. Let the Selangor select committee on competency, accountability and transparency, chaired by Teng Chang Khim, investigates.

Anonymous #03078561: Oh well - nothing new here. If you can't beat them, join 'em.

In the Pakatan component parties (especially PKR and DAP), there are newcomers who have no party loyalty and self-respect.

Their outlook is, "If he can, so can I". That is why, come GE13, it is crucial that voters must look at and study the candidates in their constituency and vote, not for the party, but for the candidate.

Vote wisely and vote for the change to save Malaysia from the greed of Umno leaders and ex-Umno/MCA members in the opposition.

Takung: Go to court - if true, even RM1 is RM1 too much. If false, sue the pants off the people making the allegations. Until then, I will keep an open mind.

 


The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .