Why RM100mil tenders from 'open' turn 'invited'?
Dukau PapauPublished: Apr 17, 2014 3:40 PM | Updated: Apr 17, 2014 4:04 PM
The ‘secret’ conversion of an open tender of two road projects in Song, Kapit in Sarawak each worth RM100 million, to that of an invited tender, smacks of malpractice and even corruption, said Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.
S'wak DAP wants probe to clear doubts of malpractice in road projects.
The ‘secret’ conversion of an open tender of two road projects in Song, Kapit in Sarawak each worth RM100 million, to that of an invited tender, smacks of malpractice and even corruption, said Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.
Tenders for the projects - the construction and completion of Section B and Section C of Poi/Ngemah/Temalat/Song/Kapit, were advertised in newspapers in February.
The projects are under the Regional and Rural Development Ministry but through the Works Ministry which is to implement them.
More than 50 contractors had submitted tender documents for each project.
In disclosing this today at a media conference, Chong (right), who is the MP for Bandar Kuching and also Kota Sentosa assemblyperson, said that many thought that the government had changed for the better.
“However, to the surprise and total disgust of many, some time in March 2014, after the tenders were closed, the contractors were informed that the open tender process for the procurement of the two projects had been converted into invited tenders.
“This was through a letter issued by the Finance Ministry to the Regional and Rural Development Ministry informing that the previous directive for open tenders had been withdrawn.
“In the said letter, only 10 contractors were in the 'invited list', and five are common invitees to tender for both projects,” he said.
Chong said the contractors who had submitted their tenders under the ‘open’ process were not officially informed that it had been converted to invited tenders.
He added those not in the ‘invited list’ have no chance of being awarded the projects.
Telling the press that he had sent a letter to the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak (left), Chong said: “I want the PM, who is also the finance minister, to find out if that letter by the Finance Ministry is indeed true, and if so, then why was the tender changed from 'open' to 'invited'.
“I think this is a very serious issue and the prime minister who has always advocated for accountability and transparency, must clarify if any malpractice or even corruption was involved in the government procurement process."
Tenders for the projects - the construction and completion of Section B and Section C of Poi/Ngemah/Temalat/Song/Kapit, were advertised in newspapers in February.
The projects are under the Regional and Rural Development Ministry but through the Works Ministry which is to implement them.
More than 50 contractors had submitted tender documents for each project.In disclosing this today at a media conference, Chong (right), who is the MP for Bandar Kuching and also Kota Sentosa assemblyperson, said that many thought that the government had changed for the better.
“However, to the surprise and total disgust of many, some time in March 2014, after the tenders were closed, the contractors were informed that the open tender process for the procurement of the two projects had been converted into invited tenders.
“This was through a letter issued by the Finance Ministry to the Regional and Rural Development Ministry informing that the previous directive for open tenders had been withdrawn.
“In the said letter, only 10 contractors were in the 'invited list', and five are common invitees to tender for both projects,” he said.
Chong said the contractors who had submitted their tenders under the ‘open’ process were not officially informed that it had been converted to invited tenders.
He added those not in the ‘invited list’ have no chance of being awarded the projects.Telling the press that he had sent a letter to the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak (left), Chong said: “I want the PM, who is also the finance minister, to find out if that letter by the Finance Ministry is indeed true, and if so, then why was the tender changed from 'open' to 'invited'.
“I think this is a very serious issue and the prime minister who has always advocated for accountability and transparency, must clarify if any malpractice or even corruption was involved in the government procurement process."
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