Avoid Layered Commissions In Projects For Schools Gov T Told

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In light of the recent confusion on the Muar kickbacks scandal, a DAP lawmaker has suggested that the government take steps to avoid "layered commissions" when allocating funds for projects involving schools. Mengkibol assemblyperson Chew Chong Sin said that at present, contractors are appointed directly for projects worth under RM20,000. For such projects, contractors are required to fulfil three criteria – they must have registered with the district office, be a bumiputera company, and possess a contractor certificate from the Finance Ministry
According to Chew, however, what commonly occurs is that contractors take a "30 percent commission" and subcontract the work to another company, which will also do the same in turn
This, he said, results in the schools only receiving work worth a sliver of the original allocation amount. To prevent this, Chew proffered a number of suggestions. "Choose the contractor through open tender. Whoever is able to provide the service or supply with the lowest price will be appointed
"To encourage healthier competition, the condition that the contractor must have a certificate from the finance minister should be waived," he said
Chew also proposed for allocations to be channelled directly to schools instead of through the district office
"Schools will appoint the contractor or look for their own supplier, but the entire appointment process will be checked by the ministry's department."Chew's suggestions come in the wake of the Muar kickbacks scandal, where an individual mistaken as the aide of MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman allegedly requested kickbacks for procurements funded via constituency allocations
Muar district officer Haffiz Ahmad later said the 30 percent commission sought in the incident was the profit margin, and that the individual was not an officer of Syed Saddiq's
Haffiz clarified that the individual is from an independent supplier appointed by the office to handle an MP's office allocation warrant from the Johor Federal Development Office
The warrant was to supply items to a Chinese school. - Mkini

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