PETALING JAYA: Having open tenders for government procurement contracts will inspire the people’s confidence in the Government.
Integrity Institute of Malaysia president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh said that although the tender system might not necessarily result in cheaper deals, it would be more transparent and accountable.
“Even if it costs more, people will be happy because it is fair and accountable. It augurs well for the Government,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Monday that he wanted direct negotiations on government procurement contracts reduced with more open or restricted tenders.
Dr Mohd Tap said that a week before he became Prime Minister, Najib attended a forum organised by the institute and told participants that he favoured the open tender procurement procedures.
“I am glad that he followed through,” said Dr Mohd Tap.
However, Centre of Public Policy Studies chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam asked Najib to clarify his message, saying that direct negotiations should be completely replaced by the tender system.
“I am discouraged by what he said. (From what) I had understood, a policy decision had been taken to do away with negotiated tenders.
“He used the word reduce. It can imply that civil servants can go ahead (with direct negotiations) and it is business as usual. And if the biggest and most attractive tenders are awarded on a negotiated basis and not on open or restricted basis, it will encourage corruption rather than reduce it,” he said.
Navaratnam said there was no reason for adopting the tender system completely, adding that restricted tenders should only be accepted under rare circumstances.
“Once you break the system of tenders, you are asking for trouble,” he said.
The Star Online
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