The United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) has urged the Selangor government to cancel the deals of all companies appointed for the demand-responsive transit (DRT) pilot project in the state and call for an open tender process.
“Our government leaders always talk about transparency but why is there no open tender for this project?
“This is a serious matter as it involves Selangor taxpayers’ money,” Selangor and Federal Territories Urimai coordinator K Gunasekaran (above, centre) told Malaysiakini.
He lodged a report with the Selangor MACC on the matter at about 11am today before leaving the agency’s premises at about 12pm.
Yesterday, Selangor Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairperson Ng Sze Han said the involvement of Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti) in the proof of concept (POC) for the DRT pilot project was through a request for proposal (RFP), and not direct negotiation as alleged.
Ng also said the claim that Asia Mobiliti was the only company selected is untrue, as Badanbas Coach Sdn Bhd was also given the opportunity to implement the POC and another company’s application is being considered for the next phase.
“Earlier this month, the state government received a proposal from Kumpool Sdn Bhd expressing its interest in participating in the POC process. The company has also received approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to join.
“The state government is confident that the RFP evaluation process and decisions involving these companies are conducted prudently and based on solid criteria, adhering to existing legal requirements and guidelines,” Bernama reported him as saying.
ACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, on May 27, also stated that there was no issue in Asia Mobiliti receiving the contract.
Unanswered questions
Gunasekaran posed several questions to the government regarding Asia Mobiliti’s appointment.
Among them was whether the Selangor menteri besar or the state executive councillor involved were aware of a minister’s husband’s involvement in one of the companies selected.
Gunasekaran also pointed out that Apad comes under the purview of the Transport Ministry, which is helmed by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
“Did Asia Mobiliti receive any preferential treatment due to their party association or did they talk to each other about it?
“Why was there no open tender or open request for proposal done for this and why select only two?” he asked.
Gunasekaran also pointed out that Asia Mobiliti received its approval from Apad on Dec 22, 2022, 19 days after the said minister became a cabinet member.
The other company involved, Badanbas Coach Sdn Bhd, only received its approval on Feb 24, 2023.
Regardless, Gunasekaran urged the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly as per the prime minister’s own statement, where the latter had said that all reports lodged must be investigated.
“The MACC must probe this like any other case as people need answers.
“Any aspects of cronyism and nepotism must not be normalised using various excuses.
“I hope all aspects of good governance and integrity being championed by the prime minister will be practised here,” he added.
Yesterday, an MCA leader lodged a police report on the DRT issue and also urged the authorities to investigate the matter.
Petaling Jaya MCA division Youth chief Andy Teoh Tuck Wah said he lodged the report based on what the prime minister stated before.
“The reason we lodged the report is because the prime minister had said if there is a report on the issue, the relevant authority must investigate.
“We heard about the contract but now they are saying it’s just a proof of concept. We are not sure, so we urge the relevant authority to investigate it,” he stated. - Mkini
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