MP calls for probe on PBB Jepak over alleged link in solar hybrid project
KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has called upon Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip to launch an internal investigation into Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) Jepak branch, in view of the involvement of PBB Jepak deputy chief Saidi Abang Samsudin’s car rental company in the RM1.25-billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak.
Given that Talib is also Jepak assemblyman, Dr Yii said PBB Jepak as well as those who could have been involved should be investigated as well, as the project not only involved the quality of education for the children, but also ‘billions of public money’ that should have been used to benefit Sarawakians.
“With an alleged scandal of such magnitude, there may be more involved and an investigation has to be done,” Dr Yii said during a press conference at Democratic Action Party ( DAP) Sarawak headquarters here yesterday.
Dr Yii said he had submitted a letter to the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) requesting for greater urgency to look into this issue where former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had purportedly granted the solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak to the car rental company owned by Saidi, who is also Jepak election director.
“In Sarawak, there are 369 schools that did not have fixed electricity supply and have used diesel genset (generator set) to generate electricity. Before 2017, this diesel was supplied by several contractors to the school on a contract basis.
“But effective Jan 1, 2017, that contract of RM1.25 billion was given to Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd allegedly through direct appointment by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib bypassing the Ministry of Education’s standard operating procedures (SOP) and procurement processes to provide a hybrid photovoltaic (PV) solar system and also diesel to all the schools,” he explained, adding that the contract period is for three years – from Jan 1 last year until Dec 31 next year.
He said as at May 15, the project should have reached 51-per cent completion.
“But as of now, the percentage of completion is far from the set target. Fact of the matter is, there are documents that allegedly show no work has been done since the award of the contract in 2017,” remarked Dr Yii.
He added that there were also alleged claims by principals of these schools, saying that they did not receive the diesel supposed to be supplied by the contractor; their signatures were allegedly forged on the claims form.
“The schools have to ration the operation of the gensets up to twice a day due to poor maintenance by the company; several other schools also face similar situations with disruptions of electricity supply from the ailing generators.
“This is akin to daylight robbery and depriving our own Sarawakian children (of education) by Sarawakians themselves. The children in these reported schools could not fully enjoy the necessary facilities, which has deprived them of quality education and limit their ability to fully utilise the facilities at school for their own good.”
Such alleged selfishness and greed of irresponsible parties, said Dr Yii, who themselves are Sarawakians and high-ranking leaders in local political parties, had in turn caused Sarawakian children to suffer.
“This is why anti- corruption measures and good governance would remain the core to the future of Sarawak, even as we pursue further autonomy and even revenues akin to our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“There are two sides of the same coin; as in the event we get more revenues, we must have a clean government to make sure that such revenues go directly for the benefit of the people and not into the pockets of those in power.”
The Ministry of Education has since taken stern action with regard to the solar hybrid project.
Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said he had been conducting a detailed investigation regarding this case since last week and the relevant authorities had been informed.
However, Saidi – also Jepak Holdings managing director – denied any wrongdoing in the matter, although he did admit that the company secured the contract through direct negotiations with the previous administration.