Wanita MCA : Open tenders show the government's initiative to boost the economy

5 November 2008
Press Statement issued by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

MCA Wanita National Chairman, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, welcomed the suggestion by our Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak that the government may consider carrying out an open tender policy whereby private and Government Link Companies (GLC) may bid for government projects openly. She lauded the suggestion as "such a move may help to generate more revenues for our country."

The government unveiled an RM7 billion stimulus package to reinforce and stimulate the economy and Mei Fun therefore believes that, "if the suggestions by the Deputy Prime Minister are implemented effectively and successfully, the government will definitely reach its objectives as well as helping to relief the burden of the public at this economically challenging time."

"As mentioned by the Deputy Prime Minister, there are certain conditions and guidelines for open tender projects that must be met by the private sector or any of the GLCs whereby the blueprints of their companies should get prior government approval to obtain any of the government projects."

"MCA has always urged the government to practise open tenders regardless of any field as we need to be more open-minded in facing this era of globalization where competitiveness is embraced above any protection policy practices" said Mei Fun.

She added that, "in short, the government should maintain a macro outlook to rectify the imbalance between bumiputera and non-bumiputera companies in the distribution and awarding of government projects which have occurred. The government should agree that every race in this country should have equal opportunities when bidding for open tenders for government projects."

Finally, Mei Fun re-emphasized that, "the suggestion of open tender policies for government projects has proven the earnestness of our ruling Barisan Nasional government to hear the concerns and interest of the people while adopting measures to overcome the economic recession as a result of the global finance meltdown."