KUCHING, Jan 7: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen blames the monopoly policy of the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government for the uncut grass along federal roads in the state.
He said in a statement today that the grass-cutting agreement by contractor DAL HCM Sdn Bhd was signed by the BN government before the last general election (GE14) even though there was still six months left before the contract expired.
“The cat is now out of the bag! Ten years of grass-cutting job for 700km of federal roads awarded to one company!
“This is in reference to the recent press statement by DAL HCM Sdn Bhd claiming that the company had on Feb 14, 2018, signed a 10-year grass-cutting contract for all federal roads in Sarawak to commence on Sept 1, 2018, till August 31, 2028.
“Why was the contract entered so early and so near to GE14?” Chong questioned.
He opined that grass-cutting is not some specialised job and did not require a huge capital investment. He insisted that many smaller and common local contractors could cut grass, too.
He revealed that the concession agreement awarded to DAL HCM Sdn Bhd covered more than 700km of federal roads in the state, located in all the major cities and towns like Kuching, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.
“Under the previous administration, huge government concession agreements jobs were awarded to one or two companies.
“This is the monopoly policies of the past, and under the new PH government, should put a stop to such policies,” Chong stressed. — DayakDaily
