Despite being a major shareholder of Opcom Holdings Bhd, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir has denied playing a part in how the company was awarded a RM11.16 million contract by Telekom Malaysia (TM).

He was quoted in a Berita Harian report as saying he was not involved in the management of the fibre optic cable manufacturing company and had resigned nine years ago.

“I resigned from Opcom before becoming deputy minister (of International Trade and Industry) in 2009.

“All this is in my declaration of assets and liabilities to the Prime Minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) and the MACC.

“I am not directly involved in any decisions made by Opcom,” he was reported as saying in a press conference in Alor Setar yesterday.

The Bersatu politician, who is Mahathir’s son, added that he had no part in influencing who TM awards its projects to.

Opcom, which is presently chaired by Mukhriz’s brother Mokhzani, said previously that "none of the directors and substantial shareholders of Opcom and/or subsidiaries or any persons connected to them have any interest, direct or indirect, in the (TM) award”.

Several NGOs previously questioned why Mukhriz had only relinquished his role in Opcom a year after assuming his deputy minister post in April 2008.

Mukhriz founded Opcom and continues to be a major shareholder with 25.2 percent of the company’s shares.

Open tender

Yesterday, TM explained to Malaysiakini that it had awarded Opcom the broadband installation and restoration contract through open tender, and that the company had been selected before the 14th general election on May 9.

The open tender took place last January while the tender evaluation process ended in April.

Opcom later received a letter of award for the 17-month “Rakan Unifi” contract on May 14, four days after Mukhriz and Mokhzani’s father was sworn in as prime minister.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo has requested TM to provide him a full report on its contract with Opcom.