Sand contractors in S’gor to sign integrity pact

SHAH ALAM: Sand contractors in Selangor will be asked to sign an integrity pact on Monday, said Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

He said all contractors of stateowned company Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) would be asked to make the declaration to rid the sand-mining industry of allegations of corruption.

“They will sign the pact, which will serve to remind all contractors of their commercial and public responsibility,” said Khalid in reply to Wong Koon Mun (Bnkuala Kubu Baru) during the question-and-answer session at the state assembly yesterday.

Khalid then hit out at Selangor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar, who had alleged improper practices by KSSB.

“When Selcat (the Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency) held its hearing, we did not even see his shadow,” he said, adding that individuals had a social responsibility to reveal malpractices to prevent similar problems from recurring.

Yap Ee Wah (Bn-sungai Pelek) then pointed out that Khalid’s remark was malicious but Speaker Datuk Teng Changk him dismissed his objection.

However, Mohd Isa Kassim (Bn-batang Kali) continued to protest vehemently, leading to his expulsion from the House for two hours.

Earlier, Khalid said employees in state subsidiary companies would be trained to enhance their abilities so that they could justify earning a minimum wage of RM1,500 a month.

The state government had proposed in its budget that Rm10mil be set aside to implement a minimum wage of RM1,500 in state government-linked companies.

He said the concept was to increase productivity by increasing wages.

“The objective is to ensure no employee in GLCS receives a salary of below RM1,500. Those who earn less RM1,500 need to be given training and skills so that they can earn RM1,500. We must enhance their capabilities,” he said.