‘NO AGENTS, LOBBYISTS FOR ECRL JOBS’
Good governance will be upheld in pre-qualification and evaluation of local contractors, say MRL and CCCC
MALAYSIA Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Construction ECRL Sdn Bhd (CCCC) have denied that agents or lobbyists had been appointed to facilitate the pre-qualification of local contractors as potential tenderers of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) civil work packages.
“No contracts for the ECRL civil works would be awarded on a direct tender basis,” said MRL and CCCC in a joint statement yesterday
after several documents went viral on the social media.
The documents, among others, stated that agents or lobbyists were offering Class G3-G6 contractors the opportunity to participate in civil work contracts for the ECRL project by registering with them as sub-contractors.
They claimed there were opportunities for local contractors to partake as sub-contractors of the ECRL project that would be awarded via direct awards to certain companies.
“MRL and CCCC would like to categorically deny any involvement in these messages. The companies strongly reiterate that there has been no appointment of an official agent or lobbyist for the ECRL project.
“MRL and CCCC are committed to ensuring that good governance and ethical practices are upheld in the pre-qualification and evaluation of local contractors to ensure that only those eligible and shortlisted proceed to subsequent stages as potential tenderers.
“MRL and CCCC aim to adhere to the highest standards of accountability and transparency, with the aim of ensuring that the ECRL sets a benchmark for integrity and good governance,” said the companies.
They urged all contractors to ignore messages claiming that they are recipients of direct tenders for the ECRL, as well as any “lobbyists” claiming that they can assist contractors to gain “favoured” status for ECRL projects.
“We hope local contractors receiving such offers and claims would report or contact MRL or CCCC for further clarification.
MRL and CCCC will also consider legal measures to protect their rights.
MRL and CCCC said they were running pre-qualification exercises to allow all contractors with the Construction Industry Development Board Grade G3 to Grade G7 licence and a minimum twostar rating to register.
CCCC had run advertisements in all leading local dailies to publicise the pre-qualification exercise on May 13 and May 14.
They said all genuine and qualified local construction companies and contractors interested to be shortlisted as potential tenderers on the ECRL civil work packages can submit their applications directly at the CCCC counters at the Sime Darby Convention Centre on May 29 and 30.