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Tuesday, July 18, 2023

MP seeks MACC probe on Muhyiddin-era Spanco deal








MP seeks MACC probe on Muhyiddin-era Spanco deal


Taiping MP Wong Kah Woh has urged the MACC to investigate the awarding of a multi-million ringgit vehicle fleet concession during Muhyiddin Yassin's administration, which is now the subject of a lawsuit.

The DAP lawmaker said this is because the allegations made by Berjaya Group founder Vincent Tan on the matter showed alleged non-compliance with the government tender process under the former premier's leadership.

"The MACC should conduct an immediate probe into the matter. Several issues that need to be investigated include the reason for the termination of the LOI (letter of intent) in 2020.

"What was the decision made by the tender committee then? Why was the government's decision on the tender process in 2019 not respected?" Wong (above), who is also the former chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), asked in a statement today.

He also asked for the justification behind Muhyiddin's government rewarding the contract to Spanco at a much higher price.

In a press conference yesterday, Tan said Berjaya Group, in a consortium with Naza Group, was picked to manage the fleet concession through an LOI issued in 2018. The contract involved around 12,500 vehicles worth an estimated RM300 million annually, starting after the fifth year, reported New Straits Times.


Berjaya Group founder Vincent Tan


According to Tan, the Naza-Berjaya consortium won the contract with the lowest offer and was given the LOI by the Finance Ministry.

However, when the government changed and Muhyiddin became the prime minister, the LOI was terminated and the tender was given to Spanco for RM700 million more, he claimed.

The tycoon has since filed a suit against the Finance Ministry and Spanco and hoped for a favourable decision from the courts.


Who controls Spanco?

Spanco Sdn Bhd, incorporated in 1988, was first appointed to supply and maintain government vehicles in 1994.

In 2021, then finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told Parliament that since being appointed by the government, Spanco had created 64 bumiputera-owned automobile maintenance workshops to support government policy.

In the financial year ending Dec 31, 2021, the company made RM413.1 million in revenue and RM44.22 million in profits before tax, according to the Companies Commission.

The company is controlled by the family of corporate tycoon Robert Tan Hua Choon, 82, who is also known as the “Casio King”, for being the first and only distributor of the Japanese brand watches and calculators in Malaysia since 1970.

Robert, his son Tan Han Chuan and daughter Tan Ching Ching, collectively own majority shares of the company.


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