NGO queries TNB's RM2.47bil project for Korean firm

PKR-linked Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) has questioned the award of a RM2.47 billion power plant project to a major Korean civil engineering firm, as it was not one of the firms shortlisted in the tender process.

"The company was not in the shortlist of nine joint venture bids by local firms and international players in TNB's press announcement," SAMM national coordinator Badrul Hisham Shahrin said today.

Referring to press reports dated March 20 2012 quoting the national power company, Badrul Hisham (on the right) named the nine companies shortlisted for the 1,000-megawatt Prai Power Plant construction project:

• 1MDB joint venture with Hyundai Engineering and Construction;

• YTL Power International Bhd joint venture with Marubeni Corp;

• CI Holding Bhd and Teknologi Tenega Perlis Consortium joint venture with Daelim Industrial Corporation Ltd;

• Amcorp Power Sdn Bhd with Mitsui & Co Ltd;

• Malakoff Corp Bhd and Petronas Power joint venture with Mitsubishi Corp;

• Pendekar Power Sdn Bhd;

• Mastiak Legend Sdn Bhd;

• Genting Sanyen Power Sdn Bhd; and

• Sime Darby Power Sdn Bhd.

However in December last year, Badrul Hisham, who is better known by his blogger name, Chegu Bard, said the Korean engineering firm was, out of the blue, named as the winning bidder for the project.

He also referred to another news report, dated Dec 1, 2012, quoting TNB as naming the Korean company as the contract winner.

Malaysiakini is deferring naming the company awarded the project until the parties concerned respond to our queries.

Asked to confirm if he has knowledge or documentary proof that the company was never part of the tender process and had not tendered any bid, Badrul Hisham said he only wanted TNB to respond to its own press statements quoted by the media.

Irregularities in the award of multi-million public projects have been fodder of opposition prods against the government, coming under closer scrutiny as the 13th general election approaches.