Transparency International Malaysia is concerned for the direction of the newly debuted National Anti - Corruption Strategy, the nation, and the Selangor State’s future in the fight against corruption and cronyism.
It is particularly concerning that the Selangor State government, and the Unity Government has decided to resort to direct negotiation for the award of the demand-responsive transit (DRT) system in the Klang Valley and it was awarded to Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd - whose CEO is youth and sports minister YB Hannah Yeoh’s husband, Mr. Ramachandran Muniandy. Why was there no tendering process? YB Hannah Yeoh is one of the efficient ministers in the cabinet and this issue will be perceived negatively by the public and will put her in a very difficult situation.
After taking office as the 10th Prime Minister, under the coalition of the Unity Government in November 2022 Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued a directive to stop all government procurements without open and transparent tender process. Next to affirm his seriousness in combating corruption, he issued ‘The Prime Minister’s Directive No. 1 of 2023,’ to enhance accountability and the practice of values as a work culture in the public service.
Four terms of reference outlined in the directive are:
- Institutional, Policy and Law Reforms;
- Work Systems and Procedures;
- Monitoring and Evaluation; and
- Cultivation of Value Practices and Good Governance
The practice of direct negotiations under the guise of technical requirements, and the awarding of contracts to cronies in the name of meritocracy is nothing short of a return to cronyism the government had promised to eradicate.
We urge the Selangor MB Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and the PM Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene in this awarded project as it goes against what the Madani government has been preaching. We urge the State Government to do a proper transparent tender process before it affects the people's perceptions of the government’s commitment to reforms and anti-corruption.
End
President,
Dr Muhammad Mohan
Note to Editors: For clarification on any and all official statements from Transparency International – Malaysia (TI-M), kindly refer to its President, Dr Muhammad Mohan (mmohan@transparency.org.my)
