MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung wants to know the progress of an MACC probe into a Selangor government contract awarded to a company co-founded by a minister’s husband.
In a statement today, Saw pointed out that, on June 6, her team submitted a memorandum calling for a probe over the project awarded to Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti).
The firm was co-founded by Ramachandran Muniandy, the spouse of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. For the record, the company’s co-owner is Malaysiakini director and former CEO Premesh Chandran.
“Now, two months later, the youth wing of MCA calls on MACC to disclose the progress of the probe.
“This case is crucial to the credibility and integrity of the unity government.
“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly condemned corruption, prohibited government contracts to be awarded to relatives of high-ranking officers, and criticised nepotism and cronyism.
“Therefore, the MACC should actively disclose the investigation results for public scrutiny,” said Saw (above, middle).
Besides requesting an investigation into Asia Mobiliti when submitting the memorandum two months ago, she also urged the MACC to investigate why Selangor decided to implement the project, known as “Demand Responsive Transit” (DRT).
Citing previous media reports, she claimed the implementation of the DRT project has been ineffective, took too long, and incurred high costs.
Initially, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki dismissed a need to probe Asia Mobiliti as Yeoh was not involved in the decision-making process.
However, an investigation was subsequently launched after the MACC obtained “new leads”.
They were over the possibility of power abuse and non-compliance with Treasury directives by the Selangor government in awarding the DRT project.
Yeoh welcomed the probe and said she had kept silent so as not to be seen as interfering with investigations.
‘Public curiosity grows’
Asia Mobiliti, along with another company, Badanbas Coach Sdn Bhd, was awarded the Klang Valley DRT project through a direct award by the Selangor government.
The state government reportedly allocated RM2.1 million to the two companies for the project.
According to Saw, MACC should now provide an update on its probe.
“Badanbas Coach’s Mobi DRT service ceased operations on July 21, and Asia Mobiliti’s Trek Rides ended on July 31.
“However, the MACC’s investigation report is still not available.
“Public curiosity grows as to how many Selangor residents have benefited from this substantial funding for a supposed nine-month pilot project,” she said.
Saw added that MCA Youth will continue to monitor the case and urged the MACC to fulfil its duties to ensure fairness and transparency in the investigation.
“We hope that MACC will respond promptly to public expectations and provide a clear explanation of the investigative progress.”
Demand responsive transit
DRT combines traditional public transport with e-hailing technology. Consumers may book public transport services like buses or vans through a mobile app.
The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), which is under the Transport Ministry, previously advertised for any company interested in implementing DRT to conduct proof of concept trials on Sept 1, 2022.
For the record, MCA president Wee Ka Siong was the transport minister from March 2020 to November 2022. DAP’s Anthony Loke was appointed as transport minister in December 2022.
As of May 2024, only three companies were registered after meeting the proof of concept criteria set by Apad.
Each company was to offer DRT services for nine months in a “trial period”. The government did not respond to queries on what it intends to do after the trial period.
Apad approved Asia Mobiliti’s registration on Dec 22, 2022, while Badanbas Coach received its approval on Feb 24, 2023. Apad also said that Kumpool Sdn Bhd started its trial on Nov 30, 2023.
Meanwhile, Premesh dismissed allegations of nepotism and argued an open tender was unsuitable because there were only two companies that met Apad’s criteria at the time and awarding the contract to one of them would have created a monopoly.
Instead, he said, both companies were given different zones to operate in and compete against one another.
He also said criticism over the issue was less about Asia Mobiliti’s competency but an attack against “a politician doing good work, by attacking her husband”. - Mkini
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