The Malay Contractors' Association of Malaysia (PKMM) today said there is something not quite right with the Works Ministry and the Ministry of Finance in the selection of contractors for major projects.

The most glaring weakness is the way the two ministries have not followed the correct selection basis which resulted in incapable and unqualified contractors being awarded major government projects.

The deputy head of PKMM, Mohd Amar Mohamad, said that the parties involved apparently awarded the contracts in a unexpected manner.

"I used the term 'unexpected' because all of a sudden an unheard of contractor would secure a major project. This is an instant contractor, a 'Maggi Mee' contractor," he said.

According to him, the selection of contractors had apparently disregarded questions about ability, experience, expertise and finances.

Instead, he added, those who had connections with the powers-that-be, found it easy to get contracts.

Cause for concern

According to him, the selection of contractors to carry out government projects was carried out wholly by the government, in particular, the Works Ministry and the Finance Ministry, and his association had no opportunity to play any part.

"Some contractors received too many projects at one time and this resulted in them facing financial difficulties or shortage of time to complete all the projects. So it is not surprising that there are projects which have been carried out haphazardly," he added.

Mohd Amar listed several major government projects - the East Coast Expressway (ECE), the Middle Ring Road II (MRR II), the North-South Highway (PLUS) and the Hospital Sultanah Aminah - which faced problems that led to public concern over the transparency of the government in awarding the projects.

He said that when the problems occurred, there was a lot of finger-pointing among the parties involved, and the government always accused the contractor involved, who apparently was incapable and as such, wanted to penalise the contractor.

"To me, what happened is the fault of the government because the system of awarding of contracts was ineffective and is what should be investigated. If they did not follow the basis of the system, all the parties involved are the problem, and the contractor and the rakyat are the victims," he said.

Part-time contractors

He said that the PKMM is also uncomfortable with the new trend of numerous contractors emerging who appear to be only interested in reaping profits from the rapidly growing construction industry.

A total of 8,000 Malay contractors are members of PKMM. About 50,000 others are not its members, and a portion of these are part-time contractors who only become contractors when they get projects.

In any case, Mohd Amar gave an assurance that PKMM will distribute government projects which it is awarded in a fair and clever manner to its members with emphasis on ability, experience and good track record.

He also promised to investigate and act against any PKMM member who is found to have sold his project to someone else for easy profit.

In connection with that, he said, those who have information about such wrongdoing can report it to the association for further action.