An opposition parliamentarian today urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to revoke a Treasury circular directing government agencies to appoint only bumiputera consultant firms registered with the Finance Ministry for development projects under RM30 million.

DAP Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen described the circular issued on Nov 6, 2006 and in particular clause 6 of the circular as "racially discriminatory" and "most improper and unwarranted."

Chong, who is also the state assemblyperson for Kota Sentosa, said he had sent a letter on the matter to Abdullah today. The prime minister is also finance minister.

Copies of the letter were also sent to Deputy Finance Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen, Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan.

Clause 6 of the circular states: "Bagi projek pembangunan fizikal yang tidak melebihi RM30 juta, agensi hendaklah melantik perunding bumiputera tempatan yang berdaftar dengan Kementerian Kewangan."

(For development projects not exceeding RM30 million, agencies must appoint local bumiputera consultants registered with the Finance Ministry).

Speaking at a press conference in Kuching, Chong said government projects below RM30 million form the basic support for most small and medium engineering consultant firms in Malaysia.

'To deprive non-bumiputera consultant firms of these projects tantamount to depriving them of their basic means of income," he said, adding that with such a government directive all non-bumiputera consultant firms would have to close shop.

Race factor

He said it was sad that the government was still putting the race factor above professional competency in government procurement procedures at a time when the nation is celebrating its 50th Independence anniversary.

"When the government is still so obsessed with different skin colours, how can all Malaysians be truly united?" he asked.

Chong said after more than three decades of the New Economic Policy (NEP), the government should realise that the policy comes with a tremendously high cost to the country and has caused an exodus of an estimated one million professionals.

The DAP MP also said the new Treasury directive would only help increase 'Ali-Baba' businesses in the engineering consultancy industry where bumiputera consultants will procure the government projects while the work will be done by non-bumiputera consultants.

"Because of this, the quality of the work will be compromised," he said, adding that the public will get sub-standard consultancy work.

Chong said he would table an emergency motion at the coming Budget Session of Parliament calling for the revocation of the Treasury circular before Merdeka is celebrated on Aug 31.