Flood mitigation projects fast-tracked but will still go through tender process, says PM


KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no direct negotiations for flood mitigation projects but the process will be fast-tracked, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the projects, including the ones in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Johor, will be expedited because of the urgent situation.

"We have introduced a limited tender. If we use the normal tender process, we will not get it (going) by June or July.

"That is why I have asked them to fast-track the projects so (the tender process) can be completed by June and the projects take off by July.

"No approval has been given to any company yet," he said in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) during Prime Minister's Question Time in Parliament on Tuesday (March 14).

Tuan Ibrahim wanted to know the process of awarding flood mitigation projects in Johor and whether or not they would get under way by July.

Anwar said the government was committed to stopping the award of projects by direct negotiation.

“The best way to do things is through tender. Sometimes, projects are given on the basis of awarding bumiputra companies, which I agree with.

“This is why the government is reviewing the Jana Wibawa projects. However, (awarding projects) must be via tender or limited tender," he added.

Last month, Anwar announced the cancellation of all projects awarded through direct negotiation by previous governments that had yet to be implemented.

“Government procurement must be done transparently and openly, based on good governance.

“I have said earlier that the RM15bil flood mitigation project can be saved. Jana Wibawa, meanwhile, costs RM7bil, but we have cancelled its implementation. We have cancelled direct negotiation projects,” he said when tabling Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 24.

Anwar said these projects will instead be renegotiated under an open tender, and that the country is expected to save about RM3bil from this.

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