The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has been asked to probe the RM300 million contract awarded to two companies said to be connected to Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, for construction of the new state assembly building in Kuching.

State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) liaison committee head Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi led a six-member team to the state ACA headquarters to lodge the report this morning.

Wan Zainal told malaysiakini that state ACA director Simi Abdul Ghani had assured him that the agency would carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.

The opposition leader said he intends to send a similar report to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (photo) "to test whether the premier is serious in his anti-corruption drive".
Sarawak PKR will submit a similar report to the ACA director-general in Putrajaya to make sure the Sarawak office does not sit on the complaint.

"We want the ACA to investigate because we believe there has been an element of abuse of power (in the award of the contract)," he claimed.

Among those who accompanied Wan Zainal were secretary Mohd Akek, information chief Idris Bohari and legal adviser Dominique Ng Kim Ho.

The report was a follow-up to Wan Zainal's letter of complaint addressed to Taib and hand-delivered to the latter's representative on Dec 7.

In the letter, Wan Zainal said the state government should stop wasting public funds and instead spend the money on projects that would directly benefit the people, such as eradication of poverty.

On the contract awarded to a joint venture company comprising PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Taib's family-controlled business group CMS Bhd and Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd, he questioned why it was not awarded at a lower cost.

The sub-contractor subsequently appointed, Kuala Lumpur-based Bina Puri Holdinsgs Bhd, is undertaking the work for about RM230 million or about RM67 million less.

Construction of the project is in progress on a site near the Astana opposite the Kuching Waterfront.