The Education Ministry said claims that contracts for the dual language Form Three Maths and Science textbooks were granted through direct negotiation.

"The publication (contact) of dual language books for Science Form 3 and Mathematics Form 3 (108,680 copies) are done through open tender by the Education Ministry," it said in a statement today.

The Education Ministry was responding to the Malaysian Malay Printing Press Association (PPPMM) which had questioned the alleged direct tender.

PPPMM had based this on a Finance Ministry letter on a direct tender.

However, The Education Ministry said the Finance Ministry letter was in reference to primary school books, specifically Science Year 3 (266,110 copies).

It said that the direct negotiation with Dewan Bahasa Pustaka (DBP) was based on a 1974 decision by the National Action Council that primary school textbooks are to be published by DBP.

"For the open tender of Science Form 3 and Mathematics Form 3 books, the advertisement has been published on the e-Perolehan portal as per usual.

"The tender process was conducted transparently with the involvement of three committees," it said.