KUCHING, April 21: The state government is working on a project tendering mechanism that would allow 30 per cent of big projects to be awarded to Sarawak Bumiputera.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said he had instructed the State Financial Secretary to draft out a tendering mechanism that would allow 30 per cent of big development project packages in the state to be awarded to Sarawak Bumiputera contractors.
He said this would allow local Bumiputera contractors not to be left out in development projects in the state, at the same time giving them a head start to be able to catch up with non-Bumiputera contractors.
“I had a meeting with the leaders of Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia (PKMM) Sarawak, the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Chamber of Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs (DUBS) recently on this.
“This method has been implemented by Sarawak Energy Berhad, and now the State Financial Secretary will work out a mechanism for big government projects in Sarawak to allow or give at least 30 per cent of development projects in the state to be specially tendered to Bumiputera contractors here only,” Abang Johari said during the PKMM Sarawak 20th Annual General Meeting Dinner here on Saturday (April 20, 2019).
He said once the mechanism has been worked out, he will call on the leaders of PKMM Sarawak, DCCI and DUBS for another meeting to finalise the mechanism.
“This is our (state government) approach and I hope it would give a positive impact on the Bumiputera contractors and the way we award the tenders,” said Abang Johari.
Abang Johari also highlighted another issue faced by local Bumiputera contractors where they have the expertise to carry out certain projects but lack the equipment and machinery to carry out the works.
Consequently, he said, many Bumiputera contractors in the state have no choice but to subcontract many portions of their jobs to non-Bumiputera contractors.
“The state government will consider solutions to this by providing contractors the needed machinery and equipment for rent to members of PKMM Sarawak, DCCI and DUBS,” Abang Johari assured. — DayakDaily
