MRT Corp: 17 packages worth RM7.6b offered to Bumiputeras

KUALA LUMPUR: Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) has offered more than 17 packages worth RM7.6bil to Bumiputera contractors under the Klang Valley MRT project.
Its chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid
said on Tuesday these included 10 packages for pre-construction
(advance works), three for elevated guideway packages and one elevated
station package.
He said that also included were two depot
packages, one multi-storey car park package and half of an underground
work package. “This totals 47% of the packages awarded so far, which is
higher than the target of 43%. In addition, there will be a further 17
packages that will be allocated to Bumiputera companies, valued at
RM1.7bil. This will raise the total value of Bumiputera -awarded
projects to RM9.3bil,'' said Azhar. MRT Corp will also award more than
200 packages to Class D, E, and F contractors, between now and the
delivery date of the project, targeted for July 2017.
Azhar was
responding to a statement by the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia
(DPMM) that MRT Corp had sidelined its members in awarding of contracts
to bumiputera contractors.
He pointed out the role of bumiputera
contractors in the delivery of the Sg Buloh-Kajang (SBK) Line is very
important. "MRT Corp is surprised by the statement from DPMM president Syed Ali Alattas
because this issue falls under the purview of the Prime Minister's
Department itself and it has been thoroughly followed through. This is
a mandate of the Prime Minister himself and we have delivered,"
explained Azhar. He described as "absolutely untrue" that MRT Corp had
sidelined bumiputera contractors as some packages were exclusive to
bumiputera companies only and some bumiputera companies also won in the
open category.
He added all these packages were open for competitive bidding so the issue of sidelining cannot arise at all.