DRT uproar: “31 companies eligible for open tender denied their rights? Anthony Loke, Ng Sze Han must clarify”

 

AN MCA leader has sounded the alarm over a purported list of 31 companies said to be qualified in the public transport sector and deserving of the opportunity to participate in an open tender bid for the demand responsive transit (DRT) pilot project in Selangor.

According to MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong, the alleged list, which has been circulating on social media recently, included some reputable and big names in the industry such as Big Blue Capital, Cab Mobility, DB Network, DMD Technology, EZCab, Faszz Technology, and Grab.

“To ensure transparency and good governance as was always emphasised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Anthony Loke and Ng Sze Han, who are responsible for transport at the federal and Selangor state levels respectively, must come forward to clarify and explain to the public in order to avoid misperceptions towards the unity government,” Neow said in a statement on Wednesday (June 5).

“If these claims hold merit, why was the DRT pilot project in Selangor awarded to only two companies without an open tender, including one allegedly owned by the spouse of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh who is also from the DAP?

“And, in the event the 31 companies were indeed ineligible, both leaders shall face the public and address the rakyat on this.”

At the heart of the ongoing controversy is Asia Mobiliti, one of two companies involved in the DRT project. The company’s co-founder and CEO is Ramachandran Muniandy, who is married to Yeoh.

On May 27, Asia Mobiliti had defended its involvement in the project, saying only two companies in the country are qualified to provide the service it provides.

Questions arose on the possibility of preferential treatment in the tender process following revelations that Ramachandran is married to Yeoh.

In a statement, the company also said that it took the recent accusations of preferential treatment seriously and would exercise its legal options, calling the allegations an “unsubstantiated attack against a Malaysian technology start-up”.

Asia Mobility was one of two companies selected for the DRT service to provide first- and last-mile public transport services within the state, the other being Badan Bas Coach Sdn Bhd, which operates Mobi. – Focus Malaysia