YOURSAY | ‘It’s normal for some degree of sub-contracting to happen in big projects.’

Stop taking holier-than-thou approach to make us look corrupt, Rafizi told

LimePanther5220: Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said: “… we will not ride on the Malays so a few can steal Jana Wibawa’s money which, in the end, (the projects) were Ali Baba-ed (sub-contracted) to non-Malay companies.”

It is heartening to note that the unity government will not ride on the name of Malays to dish out projects to their cronies or a selected few. But I do have an issue with what Rafizi is saying.

Firstly, many of the projects under Jana Wibawa are massive projects running into millions of ringgit. How many bumiputera companies are of the size capable of handling such large projects, except the same few companies that have always been there?

So, the projects will be given to the same few bumiputera companies, whether under Perikatan Nasional or the unity government.

Secondly, how many companies are all-rounders, capable of handling the entire project, without having to sub-contract out part of the works to other parties?

Therefore, isn’t it normal that some degree of “Ali Baba” business will happen?

Thirdly, (and I have the most issue with this), why must he drag in and mention non-Malay companies?

Does he realise that many a time, the non-Malay companies are doing the bumiputera companies a big, big favour by stepping in to help them when they (the Malay Muslim companies) are unable to carry out their projects to completion?

Does Rafizi think that each time the non-Malay companies earn fat profits?

I used to have dealings with some non-Malay companies which were earmarked by some government departments to assist bumiputera companies which had secured government projects from the departments.

Before the sub-contract between the bumiputera main contractor and the non-Malay sub-contractor was signed, the bumiputera main contractor and its staff would strip the non-Malay sub-contractor almost bare of profit by demanding almost everything under the sun, without realising that the latter was doing them a favour.

Furthermore, what is the issue that the non-Malay companies get a sprinkling of tail-end business, arising from any government programme?

The government has systematically squeezed and stifled the non-Malays in so many ways - in terms of education, public sector employment, opportunities, business, you name it.

How much is enough? Do the non-Malays not faithfully pay their taxes to help prop this country up? Surely, they will cave in one day.

Maybe that’s what this government wants - to continue the policies of the past governments by tyrannically stifling the non-Malays until they cave in one day.

Mazhilamani: Bersatu information chief Razali Idris, why fault Rafizi when you said it even better than Razali, quoting your “which in the end will be Ali Baba-ed to non-Malay companies”.

Why must the Malays re-sell projects to the non-Malays for just commissions, if the Jana Wibawa projects were awarded to competent Malay companies?

Definitely, there are many with proven records. Whose fault is this? Are you not certifying that some Malay contractors are not competent enough to handle such projects?

Are you not certifying that it is a straightforward case of corruption? Need Rafizi to say more than what you have already confirmed?

Can Razali deny that Malay parties are not riding on Malays to enrich just a few? The money meant for the Malay community is resting with just a few. This is a fact.

The current government, despite going about its work in a professional and quiet manner, is constantly distracted by the opposition, not allowing itself to focus on the economic realities.

Is this not the game plan of the opposition?

Citizen_Zero: Siapa makan cili, dia rasa pedas. Rafizi is merely stating the facts. Even if no one has yet been convicted in court, PN remains implicated in alleged corruption in Jana Wibawa.

This amounts to a moral and ethical failure.

PN is now on another wave of slander and smear attacks to undermine the government. Rafizi is defending himself, he did not instigate it.

Simply saying the economy and the government are failing is easy. What is PN’s counter-proposal? Simply saying that they will “save the country” is even worse, if their track record is anything to go by.

Fair Play: I am just curious. From the day he was appointed as economy minister until recently, he was quiet as a church mouse.

His political enemies even called for his removal for doing nothing. Now, Rafizi is like a singing bird.

Has he completed his task (working with the finance minister) to chart the future direction of the nation in finance and economic development?

VioletOcra0545: Rafizi is not squabbling with the rakyat. He is only squabbling with PN and their cybertroopers. PN leaders are the ones politicising every single piece of news and generating fear through their propaganda.

When the government keeps quiet, you complain the government is not doing enough on communication. When Rafizi comes and burns PN, you say he is busy politicking and spreading propaganda.

Just keep quiet, PN, you hypocrites.

Snookered: After a year and you expect our economy to prosper whilst the rest of the world isn’t doing well either?

The reason why we will also be slower to recover is because of what PN did before (scandals and corruption) and the current government had to repair the leakages and holes. Stop trying to hoodwink us, Razali.

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