The Malaysian Insight

PUTRAJAYA must make its procurement processes transparent to eliminate corruption that has cost taxpayers billions of ringgit, said Centre to Combat Cronyism and Corruption (C4) at the end of Pakatan Harapan’s 100 days.

“The procurement of goods and services runs into hundreds of billions of ringgit and many contracts are awarded through direct and negotiated tenders, where the possibilities of leakages and bribery run high,” C4 director Cynthia Gabriel told The Malaysian Insight.

She said she hoped the C4 report, entitled Procurement as part of good governance in a new Malaysia: challenges and recommendations, would serve as a guidebook for the new administration when it is released next week.

The report lists examples of the previous government’s incorrect practices, such as awarding the East Coast Railway Line (ECRL) project to the developer without open tender.

The report also cites similar irregularities pointed out in the auditor-general’s  report, as well as those brought forward by PH lawmakers.

Procurement, said Gabriel, was the area “most vulnerable” to corruption.

“The new PH government has, in fact, revealed this to be a big problem – infrastructure projects, in particular, run into very steep costs.”

The report launch will be followed by a seminar featuring Works Minister Baru Bian, Damansara MP Tony Pua, and National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) head Abu Kassim Mohamed on the panel.

Abu Kassim, formerly the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief, will talk on ways to fight corruption.

“Works Minister Baru Bian will deliver an address outlining the challenges in the infrastructure sector and how procurement issues could be better addressed,” she said.

Pua, who is special adviser to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, will speak on government policies for the awarding of contracts.

Gabriel said Pua would describe which of these policies needed to be revamped and propose ways to improve transparency and accountability in the tender and contract awarding processes.

“It’s a key area in the fight against corruption, and we hope the GIACC head, who will be presenting the agency’s policies and plans for reform, will look into better ways to reform this critical area.”

The C4 report launch and seminar will be held at Aloft Hotel Kuala Lumpur, at 10am to 2pm on August 28.

To register for a seat, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/seminar-report-launch-c4-policy-paper-on-public-procurement-tickets-49163162342?aff=facebook. – August 24, 2018.