No open tender: Nothing wrong, says PM
Not having an open tender for the RM250 million flyover project linking the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex with the Johor causeway is not wrong, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.
"We made the decision based on the reason that we want to expedite the construction and use (the flyover) as early as possible. That's why, the decision was made to negotiate directly with the contractor (Gerban Perdana Sdn Bhd).
"So whether the government wants to do it through open tender, limited tender, restricted tender or direct negotiation, it's the government's decision and it's not wrong. It's only wrong if people make money (buat duit) from it," he told the Dewan Rakyat.
In the past, the premier had emphasised on the need for open tender in his pledge for accountability and transparency.
Abdullah was in the House today to answer questions raised by MPs during their debates on the the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) in his ministerial winding-up.
Kit Siang unsatisfied
At first, he declined to field questions on the scrapping of the half-bridge project when it was raised by Dr Tan Seng Giaw.
However, he relented when Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) interjected.
The prime minister's reply failed to satisfy Lim, who was adamant in pursuing the matter further but Abdullah just smiled and refused to be drawn into the debate.
The half bridge issue has become a heated matter with even former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad firing away, accusing the government of selling out on national interests.
Abdullah's administration has cited negative public sentiments and legal implications behind the decision.
In his three-hour long winding-up, Abdullah also spoke on the issue of privatisation, which he said has successfully increased efficiency, productivity and quality of services.
He said the government will deal with the problems and weaknesses arising from privatisation accordingly.
The premier also took a swipe at Lim for claiming, in his debate, that the New Economic Policy (NEP) had failed.
Abdullah dismissed the opposition leader's argument as 'shallow and inaccurate', adding that the NEP has successfully eradicated poverty and restructured society.
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