No More Tender Through Direct Negotiation, Says Abdul Khalid

SHAH ALAM, April 12 (Bernama) -- The state government will no longer award tender to Bumiputera companies through direct negotiation to avoid the tender being monopolised by certain group.Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the move was necessary as 98 per cent of the state government-funded projects in the previous administration were awarded to certain group."I've analysed all and found that certain projects were given to certain group."Even though the name of the companies are different but the shareholders are the same," he told reporters after opening the 22nd annual general meeting the Gabungan Ikhtisas dan Usahawan Bumiputera Anak Selangor here Saturday.The government would however continue to give assistance to Bumiputera contractors in obtaining projects but it would be based on their ability and experience, he said.Abdul Khalid said the list of contractors awarded with state projects would be announced but the process might take time.He assured contractors awarded with government projects through direct negotiation that they would not be blacklisted except in cases when they failed to carry out the projects according to schedule."We will study and evaluate the projects given to the contractors involved," he said.Earlier in his speech Abdul Khalid said he would not use what was known as the "magic pen" of the menteri besar to sign and approve projects.As such, he said, there was no need for contractors to come to his office for the magic pen."I've thrown away the magic pen," he said.He said all decisions would have to be agreed upon by the state executive council members and the officers involved."Previously, the menteri besar need only write `agree' and the officers would abide by the decision.."I want to change that attitude; I don't want the menteri besar to be the sole decision maker... the executive council members and the officers should also be involved in the process," he said.-- BERNAMA