DPM: Revamp if claims are true

The Star 16/09/2005

KUANTAN: The Government’s tender system for construction projects may be revamped if allegations of widespread graft in the industry are true, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

This was to make the system more transparent, he said.

Najib said the Government did not want the tender system to be abused by people through corruption, which would profit big contractors and push out the small players.

The Government was concerned over the allegations, he said, adding that the authorities would take immediate action against those involved in corrupt activities, including top civil servants.


FRIENDLY CHAT: Najib having a friendly chat with students at the fifth patriotism gathering in Kuantan last night.
Najib urged those who were asked to pay bribes to submit proof so that investigations could be initiated.

He was speaking at a press conference after launching the fifth patriotism gathering for schoolchildren here yesterday.

Najib was asked to comment on a statement by Malay Contractors Association president Datuk Roslan Awang Chik that the construction sector was “extremely prone” to corruption and that industry players complained that graft and bureaucracy were choking the multi-billion ringgit business.

In Kuala Lumpur, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu told the association to lodge a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency or the ministry if it had proof.

He said that Roslan’s statement “in a way” defamed the construction industry.

“Corruption is not only the fault of the receiver but also the giver. Both have to be punished,” he said yesterday.

Samy Vellu said he had not received any complaint of corrupt practice involving his ministry.

He said ministry secretary-general Datuk Syed Jamal Syed Jaafar would discuss with the association members to get to the root of the problem.

The ministry, he said, had taken steps to ensure that none of its staff succumbed to corruption.

“We discourage the officers of the contracts department from even having tea or receiving a cigarette from the contractors as this can be perceived as corruption by others,” he said, adding that the officers in the department were rotated every three months.

Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Mohamed Khalid Nordin said his ministry was looking at ways to reduce red tape and prevent graft when issuing licences to contractors.

“We will improve our delivery system,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Master Builders Association Malaysia secretary-general Yap Yoke Keng said his organisation would like to see more transparency in the industry.

“Currently, the system is riddled with a lot of procedures and bureaucracy. If bureaucracy could be simplified, it would be good for the industry,” he said.

He said there would be “more eyes” monitoring the situation which could lead to less corruption.

Supporting Roslan’s statement, Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia president Datuk Moehamad Izat Amir urged its members and the contractors to report corrupt practices to the authorities.