An IT systems provider is unhappy that Tabung Haji awarded a tender to install queue management systems (QMS) at its 120 branches to a company that has no expertise in the matter and has to sub-contract the job to a non-Muslim company.

NONE Virtual Softnet Solutions Sdn Bhd managing director Abu Bakar Hassan ( right ) said this was despite his company being the lowest bidder at RM2.3 million, and having experience in developing, manufacturing and installing its own QMS, compared with the winning bid of RM2.4 million by Tabung Haji’s subsidiary Tetha Edge Bhd.

Abu Bakar did not name the sub-contractor for Tetha Edge.

“Why is a company owned by Tabung Haji, which collects funds from Muslim depositors, treating Muslim-owned companies like a stepchild?” he asked.

He said he had lodged a complaint with the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia, and intends to lodge a report with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission soon.

Abu Bakar claimed his company was offered a “turnkey project” by Tabung Haji early last year to replace the QMS at the Islamic Finance Centre in Johor Baru, and was given the impression that it would be given the contract to replace the QMS in all Tabung Haji branches if successful.

After the turnkey project was successfully completed, Abu Bakar said, his company was not awarded the contract, but instead a tender was called in October using Virtual Softnet’s specifications.

“According to the information we received, our bid was the lowest and was included in the top three list to be forwarded to the tender board,” he said.

However, Abu Bakar claimed, Tetha Edge was added to the list at the last minute and with the highest bid, it was able to obtain the highest “technical score” despite not being a QMS manufacturer, a criteria to qualify for the tender.

“False hope had been given to Virtual Softnet Solutions, where we had invested time, energy and money to concentrate on this turnkey project.

“We have lost hundreds of thousands of ringgit because we could not pursue other opportunities while focusing on this project,” he added.

Asked by reporters whether the issue had been raised with Tabung Haji, Abu Bakar said he had met Tabung Haji CEO Ismi Ismail, but the meeting was futile as the CEO “could not help”.