‘...this doesn't mean that the seed of corruption should be sown with the respects to the impending award of a water transfer project to a tainted company.'

On Water project: Why kowtow to the Japanese?

Ahmad Firdaus: We appreciate Japan's generous loan facilities to Malaysian government over the last three decades.

We would like to appeal to Japanese government to prevent Jica from sowing the seed of corruption in our country. We don't require these toxic by-products.

Jica failed to safeguard their responsibility over ethics and rule of law. This will undermine our country's development adversely. We would hold Jica responsible for this malpractice.

Simon Raj Kumar: Having read all the snide remarks being thrown at the government over an impending decision - or rather indecision - in deciding a simple matter in the presence of such regimented guidelines and gosh-knows how many advisory reports, you would wonder if it's a weak administration that is the problem.

Of course, the remarks and comments so far are only a small sampling of the national population but it does give a representation of the sentiments on the ground.

Me? I would rather think that all the ‘mis-decisions' are actually due to a sitting government that is too engrossed in its own politicking for positions of power together with the ‘remunerations' that come along with it.

In other words, our country does not now have a reigning government that is governing the nation and implementing policies for best benefits.

Even upcoming and crucial by-elections do not seem to rattle any of them especially when gaining back lost ground and public acceptance is top on the agenda, at least for BN.

What more the award of a project amidst all the allegations of impropriety and corruption hinted at.

Come on, all you government people, exercise some gumption (as an ex-law minister once said).

Show your wits and do the right thing to right whatever wrong you are about to venture in, as perceived by the rakyat .

Ricky Sam: This article triggered me to read the guidelines for the procurement of ODA charter which is linked to Jica's website .

The conditions stated in the guideline emphasise especially on the high code of ethics for the evaluation and award of contracts and which are required to be followed by the borrower government or the disbursing agency.

Contrary to this, the bid evaluation carried out by Jica for the water transfer project was dubious, opaque and full of blunders.

In the process of scrutinisation, the procedure for the evaluation was totally ignored. As a result of that, Jica had permitted a scandal-ridden contractor- Nitshimatsu- to be awarded the lucrative project soon.

I will not be surprised that the indifferent and unprofessional attitude of Jica and its officers were the reasons that Nitshimatsu became embroiled in its various scandals.

Why has Nitshimatsu, who has been implicated in Japan and Thailand for their corrupt acts, been accepted by our government?

I earnestly appeal to the government not to fall prey to manipulation by Jica because it will bring irreparable damage to subsequent international tenders.

On Contracts without open tenders - ceiling lifted to RM500,000

Garry Khoo: ‘Therefore, ministries and agencies undertaking small-scale projects can accept submissions through quotations rather than open tenders,' said Najib.

I really hate myself why I read the ‘submissions' as ‘commissions'. Naturally. I hope that the new prime minister will change our minds.

On Selective bidding: Is Najib serious?

Jacob George: The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) welcomes the statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak that he no longer encourages selective bidding (direct negotiations) for future government contracts.

This statement is welcomed in view of recent claims and allegations that a politically connected IT company has submitted to the finance ministry a proposal for them to have monopoly of all IT services in all government hospitals in the country.

If the allegations are true, this certainly could be the work of individuals within the finance ministry who are working against newly-minted procedures to prevent monopolies, prevent open and transparent tenders and stonewalling companies that have a real track record.

According to reliable sources, the company allegedly being considered for this IT monopoly has already received a negative evaluation if its services from the Selayang Hospital.

Cassa maintains that no monopolies should be given to any quarter and the government should encourage active competition for qualified companies bidding to undertake IT services at government hospitals throughout Malaysia.

Cassa is willing to reveal the details of the said company allegedly being positioned to handle all IT services in government hospitals direct to the DPM and finance minister this week so that the latter could use his good office to get to the bottom of these allegations. ( The writer is Cassa president ).