By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 26: Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang has urged for the controversial RM720 million government school security service tenders in Sarawak to be reviewed and fully awarded to local contractors.
He pointed out that in the recent tender awards, Sarawakian contractors secured only 20 out of 243 zones (8.23 per cent) or RM63,092,736.72 (8.75 per cent) of the total RM720,385,377.23 contract value.
Describing the distribution as “grossly unfair,” Lo expressed deep dissatisfaction with the disparity in contractor representation, highlighting that the current allocation heavily favours contractors from outside Sarawak.
He also pointed out that West Malaysia has approximately 200 security service contractors compared to only 12 in Sarawak.
With around 9,000 schools in West Malaysia and nearly 1,500 in Sarawak, Lo argued that it would be more equitable for the contracts to be fully awarded to Sarawak contractors.
“If necessary, Sarawak contractors could engage subcontractors from West Malaysia. But I don’t think that’s necessary because our contractors are fully capable,” he told DayakDaily today.
When asked about Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s move to write to Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Second Finance Minister Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Aziz, and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to seek a review of the tenders, Lo suggested an alternative.
“YB Chong should bring this up in Parliament so that the minister-in-charge can provide an answer openly. This ensures transparency and accountability.
“I do not think that the letter will be effective, as it’s unlikely to receive a response. But by raising it in Parliament, the entire nation will be aware of the matter,” he stressed. –DayakDaily
