Why let consortiums ‘monopolise’ highway maintenance, says MP

 

Billions are set aside every year to maintain and upgrade roads, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The maintenance of highways should not be “monopolised” by certain consortiums, a government backbencher told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) said such projects should be awarded via open tender.

“It seems (that) these consortiums are awarded maintenance and upgrading projects in several states, including Johor.

“There should be an open tender and opportunities should be given to other companies. Don’t allow it to be monopolised by one. It isn’t right,” he said.

However, Hassan did not identify any of the “consortiums” which he said had been given the highway maintenance contracts.

Hassan also questioned if the government was satisfied with the contractors who were carrying out the road maintenance work.

“Is the government monitoring these things?” he said, citing the billions of ringgit allocated annually for such work. - FMT