Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) Calls for transparency and good governance in Government procurement policies.
TI-M notes with concern and regret the recent incidence as reported in the local press that “2,820 National Service trainees were stranded at a number of pick-up points in several states due to flight delays and drivers without bus permits” causing inconveniences and unnecessary expense to the trainees and their families.
Even more disconcerting are the press reports that alleged “the contracts were given to agents like retired army and retired government servants from the Defence Ministry who had no experience in bus operations”.
It was also alleged that “instead of awarding the contracts straight to bus operators, the agents (who obtained the first contract) again created another layer of bureaucracy by appointing sub-contractors”.
It was further alleged that “bus operators suffered because the agents and sub-contractors absorbed most of the profit from the contracts”. The bus operators claimed that they were willing to be paid a lower rate if the contracts are given straight to them instead of through agents and sub-contractors.
TI-M reiterates that Government must set good examples for all sectors in the economy to follow by adhering to transparent and competitive tender processes for the award of public procurement contracts.
In line with this commitment, TI-M held a national workshop on “Preventing Corruption in Public Procurement” for officials of both the public and private sectors last year and a Handbook entitled “Curbing Corruption in Public Procurement” was recently published.
TI-M supports the call by National Service Council Chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye for those responsible for the “bus contracts fiasco” to be brought to account and the system of awarding contracts revamped to ensure that such a shameful episode does not recur.
Issued by
Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam,
President Transparency International – Malaysia
