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14 Jan 2019
Press statement by MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong
WHY DIRECT NEGOTIATION IN BUYING TEXTBOOKS?
Finance Ministry, in a statement on Jan 13, 2019, announced that it has given approval for the acquisition of the Dual Language Programme (DLP) textbooks through direct negotiation.
About two months earlier, Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah said in the Parliament on Oct 30, 2018 that the government would allow direct negotiation in situations that involve emergency needs, uniformity, supply and service, safety and strategy, and bumiputera contractors.
I have said publicly that the only acceptable exception here is “safety and strategy” as it involves national security and specific equipment needs. The other four are too general, which would ultimately be abused.
And my worries are justified today. With the Finance Ministry allowing textbooks be acquired through direct negotiation, it will eventually open the floodgates for hundreds of similar cases.
Before GE14, Pakatan Harapan, especially DAP, criticised the practice of direct negotiation and promised voters that they would opt for open tender should they come into power.
Knowing Pakatan Harapan, it will defend its latest decision by coming up with millions of excuses. Pakatan Harapan seems to have forgotten that it had promised in its election manifesto that open tender would be used “extensively and transparently”, but I assure you that the people are not so forgetful.
When will Pakatan walk its talk? It’s not too late to make it your New Year’s resolution, since 2019 has just begun. It will do you good to keep to your promises instead of making so many u-turns.
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/wksbmenglish/photos/a.1005755592925278/1186102661557236/?type=3&theater
Datuk Seri Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong
MCA President
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