Shocked by project cartel arrests, Patriot demands govt address 'sickening' corruption

 

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) president BG (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said that news of the arrest of the leader of project cartel who owns 150 companies and monopolised tender projects indicates just how rotten the system is, and the government must step up its preventive and punitive action accordingly.

"This has sent shock waves throughout the country. Something must have gone terribly wrong with our public administration and the project tender award governance.

"It shows that with regard to corruption and as a nation, we are sick to the core.

"Patriot is appalled at the state of corruption in the country today that appears to be entrenched in almost every ministry, departments and agencies of government.

"We believe corruption among public servants is beyond redemption, made worse by the lack of courage and will among top ministry officials, heads of departments and agencies who themselves may be corrupt," Arshad said in a statement today.

Patriot also called on the chief secretary to the government and all ministry secretaries-general to immediately review project tender award governance to ensure checks and balance procedures against corrupt practices.

Earlier this week, the MACC said it had crippled a "project tender cartel" with the arrest of seven individuals including its mastermind.

The suspects were reported to have monopolised a total of 354 tenders from several ministries and government agencies nationwide, involving projects worth a total of RM3.8 billion.

The syndicate is said to have been in operation since 2014 and is also believed to have used more than 150 companies to submit tenders or quotations to the ministries and agencies involved.

Such astronomical figures represent an astounding achievement that could only be achieved with the help of insiders within the government ministries, departments and agencies, said Arshad (photo).

"The logical assumption is that large amount of monies were paid to the insiders who had links much higher up, including political leaders.

"Awarding the numerous government projects to a single entirety means that other deserving contractors were deprived.

"Also, an equitable sharing of wealth and job opportunities to a wider group has been sabotaged.

"It also made a mockery of our nation’s Shared Prosperity Vision if the so-called vision means anything, or still has credence," said Arshad.

He said it was unbelievable that senior ministry officials, heads of departments and agencies are oblivious to the corruption that happens under their watch.

Irrespective of whether they know, pretending not to know, or really do not know; heads must roll, he added.

At the same time, Arshad lauded the MACC for arresting the alleged leader of the project cartel and called for proper investigation and convictions.

"There must be proper interrogation to get to the root of this serious matter. Every single person involved as co-conspirator and accomplice must also be brought to book. Some among the suspects may even have honorifics before their names.

"It is only when we have stemmed the roots of all corruption, including those involving people in top political positions and high administrative office, that true nation-building can start," he added. - Mkini

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