Purchase of RM5.7b train sets from China made without tender

The previous government had purchased train sets valued at RM5.7 billion direct from China without an open tender.

The Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya (RUM) president Abdul Razak Md Hassan said based on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB)’s record, the purchase comprised 30 units of six car sets valued at RM1.9 billion acquired in 2012 and 10 units of Electric Train Set (ETS) valued at RM507 million in 2013.

The purchase also involved nine ETS valued at RM1.1 billion and 13 sets of Diesel Multiple Units worth RM1.5 billion in 2019, as well as the maintenance of 38 units of six car sets valued at RM750 million during the purchase period.

“The purchases were made not according to technical specifications and needs of KTMB. They were built based on the needs of the Transport Ministry and not KTMB as a need and user,” he said in a statement last night.

The union also said previous government also focused on purchasing trains direct from China when products of other countries have better quality from technical aspects.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali recently said there would no more direct negotiation and closed tender for future mega-projects and they should be carried out in an open and transparent manner.

In this regard, RUM also sought the cooperation of the government to review the phase 2 of Klang Valley Double Tracking (KVDT) project as it should be made through an open system.

This is because the contractor of KVDT phase 1 has delayed the opening of KL Sentral depot.

-- Bernama