Sarawak DAP Chief Chong Chieng Jen is challenging MACC to investigate the award of the construction of a road project in Kapit to Impian Zaman Sdn Bhd.

This was in reaction to MACC department director Mohd Jamidan Abdullah's statement that he did not find anything wrong in the award of tenders for the Song/Sungai Yong road project.

He also dared the MACC to complete the probe within seven days.

He alleged that the 'secretive conversion' of ‘open tender to ‘selected tender’ for the project smacked of cronyism and improper industrial practice.

This was especially so when 53 contractors had already submitted their tenders, thinking that it was still an ‘open tender’ project, said Chong, who is the MP for Bandar Kuching and the state assemblyperson for Kota Sentosa.

According to him, many in the construction industry were shocked when they heard about its conversion from ‘open tender’ to ‘selected tender’.

“Only the MACC thinks that it is acceptable,” he said.

'Abnormal practice'

Chong said if such an abnormal practice did not even raise the eyebrows of MACC, then the following new information would surely warrant an investigation.

Firstly, the project was awarded to Impian Zaman Sdn Bhd at the price of RM119,830,000 when there were 32 contractors who could do the job much cheaper, as low as RM83,000,000. Therefore why was Impian Zaman Sdn Bhd chosen?

Secondly, Impian Zaman Sdn Bhd has only a paid up capital of RM1 million. How could such company carry out a road construction contract costing RM119 million?

This information was public knowledge, and could be gathered from the JKR department and the Malaysia Companies Commission (CCM), Chong added.

The DAP politician also asked MACC to conduct an investigation into the financial position of Impian Zaman Sdn Bhd.

He explained that except for the RM1 million paid up capital, as it was a private company, it need not file a return to the CCM.

Chong said that given its limited capital, how much machinery had it to carry out the said project?

“Is it going to be another of those ‘Ali Baba’ contractors? What is the relationship between the shareholders and directors of this company with the BN leaders?” he asked.

Chong regarded the appeal by the MACC investigation department director for public to furnish further information as an excuse for him not to do his job.

When Mohd Jamidan could be so efficient in replying to his statement in press within one day of Chong’s statement, to explain why no action was taken against the Finance Ministry, the DAP leader expected the same efficiency from him and to immediately initiate an investigation into this project.