Facing apparently contradictory statements, Senai assemblyperson Wong Shu Qi has urged Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan to clarify whether two upcoming waste incinerator projects will be openly tendered.

In September last year, The Star had quoted the minister as saying that the incinerators in Sungai Udang, Malacca, and Bukit Payong, Johor would be conducted through an open tender.

However, the New Straits Times today reported that KUB Malaysia Bhd wants to build the two incinerators through direct negotiation with the government.

“We hereby urge the ministry to clarify if the projects have been or will be awarded through direct negotiations.  

“If not, when and how the bidding process will be conducted is a matter of public interest and it is the minister’s duty to disclose information or risk further erosion of trust in the government’s accountability,” said Wong ( right ) in a statement today.

She said that directly negotiated contracts are acceptable only when a handful of companies are capable of executing the project, which is not the case for incinerators.

In addition, the Johor DAP policy director said building incinerators should not be a priority, which should instead be placed on preventing waste.

“Worldwide, in terms of waste management hierarchy, the top priority is prevention or reduction of waste, followed by recycling and reuse.

“Building incinerators should not be the priority.  Incinerators are not the silver bullet to solve all waste problems,” she said.