KUALA LUMPUR: No Bumiputera companies were eliminated after development project tenders on lands of Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) were re-negotiated, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government did not victimise any Bumiputera companies in the open tender exercise and was prepared to accept their applications if they were eligible.
“There is no question of Bumiputera developers being dropped. If the previous tender was through direct negotiations, we are only re-negotiating them. For your information, all developers through direct negotiations with the government comprised non-Bumiputera companies as well.
“If there were Bumiputeras who wish to apply, we will accept, that is not a problem,” he said during Dewan Rakyat question and answer session here today.
He was replying to a question by Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) who wanted to know the number of Bumiputeras dropped after the re-negotiation of all RAC project tenders.
Replying to a question by Wong Hon Wai (PH-Bukit Bendera) who wanted to know the ministry’s plan on RAC lands, he said at the moment, RAC is planning to develop its land over three years involving areas around the Klang Valley, Johor and Penang.
However, market and feasibility studies will be conducted earlier before RAC offer pre-qualification notice for the selection of cooperating company with capabilities in terms of experience and finance.
Apart from that, he said RAC is in the early stage of negotiations with the state governments to encourage the development of affordable house on railway reserve land near railway stations.
“RAC is always committed to develop the corporation’s land along the railway track through its commitment for privatisation projects with public and private cooperation,” he said.
In another development, he said the ministry will review and conduct in-depth study before any decision is made to amend the Road Transport Act 1987 to increase the punishment for driving under the influence of alcohol.
He said the ministry would gather various views including police, Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).
He was replying to Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (BN- Machang) who wanted to know if the ministry would raise the punishment for traffic offences which led to death especially those driving under the influence of alcohol. – Bernama
