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Tuesday, October 05, 2021

‘Don’t just syiok only’: Tajuddin hounds Wee on Bumi ‘exclusion’ in ECRL

theVibes.com:

‘Don’t just syiok only’: Tajuddin hounds Wee on Bumi ‘exclusion’ in ECRL

Transport minister denies claims, insists govt will ensure local contractors get 40% of project’s civil works


Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman claims there is not a single Bumiputera contractor involved in the multi-billion ringgit ECRL project that will run from Port Klang to Kota Baru, Kelantan. – PETRA News file pic, October 5, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN) today took Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (Air Hitam-BN) to task for supposedly failing to ensure Bumiputera involvement in the ongoing East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

However, the minister denied the allegations, insisting the government is committed to ensuring that local contractors get at least 40% of the project’s civil works.

Speaking in Parliament, Tajuddin initially asked Wee why there is not a single Bumiputera contractor involved in the multi-billion ringgit project that will run from Port Klang to Kota Baru, Kelantan.

“Please look at this. Don’t just syiok only. Look at Bumiputera and local contractors’ involvement,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

In response, Wee said Tajuddin’s claim is false, pointing to supplemental agreement number 5 (SA5) signed during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) era that required involvement of locals.

To this, Tajuddin, who is the chief of the government’s backbenchers, said: “That’s only a condition, but it is not being observed.”

Wee replied that the government’s approach abides by the agreement in the signed SA5, which states that 40% of civil works is allocated for local contractors, of which 30% are for Bumiputeras and the remaining 10% for non-Bumis.


Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong says the government will monitor the project to ensure the minimum 40% local contractors’ involvement is achieved by 2024. – Bernama pic, October 5, 2021

He said a special cabinet committee has also been set up to see that this milestone is achieved.

“We will require that the main contractor, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), follow all the conditions promised under the SA5, which was signed in 2019.

“We will also monitor monthly and annually to ensure that our target (of local contractors’ involvement) is achieved by 2024.”

In response to a question on whether the federal government has sorted out disagreements with the Selangor government over the rail’s alignment in the state, Wee said he has met all representatives of states involved in the ECRL project to iron out their differences.

He said although Selangor has yet to give its final approval on the alignment, coordination between the state and federal sides is necessary to ensure the project is beneficial to all.

“It is the federal government’s desire to address any issue with Selangor. We have already discussed various issues, and we take note of all views.

“We have also discussed the way forward in the cabinet. We are waiting, and willing, to continue discussion with Selangor.” – The Vibes, October 5, 2021


3 comments:

  1. Tak Boleh Pakai Ex-Deputy Minister vs Tak Boleh Pakai Current Minister

    ReplyDelete
  2. Go On.....Wee KHAT Siong....challenge Tajuddin berdebat.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like Wee KHAT Siong is running away....? Ha ha ha...hiding behind cabinet.....why lah...what collective cabinet decision.....cabotage is Your Decision.....and the Speaker Saved Your Ass by Ending the Q&A Session so you don't have to answer.

    QUOTE
    I’ll discuss cabotage policy after Cabinet decides on it, says Wee
    FMT Reporters -October 5, 2021

    PETALING JAYA: Transport minister Wee Ka Siong said he is prepared to discuss the cabotage policy once the Cabinet finalises it this month, hours after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng questioned his silence on the matter.

    Wee said once a collective decision had been made by Putrajaya, he would explain the matter through the media at a “suitable date”.

    He also said he had previously stated that the government would decide on the matter in early October after consulting the relevant ministries and agencies.

    Wee also denied trying to avoid responding to questions on the issue in the Dewan Rakyat today.

    “I would have told the Dewan Rakyat if I was given the opportunity to answer questions.

    “I was next in line to reply to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on the matter, but then the Dewan Rakyat Speaker declared that the oral question-and-answer session had ended,” he said.

    He added that if given the time, he would have also answered Lim who also raised the matter in the Dewan Rakyat.

    “I am waiting. I won’t hide in the undersea tunnel,” Wee added, in an apparent jibe at Lim and the controversial project in Penang.
    UNQUOTE

    ReplyDelete