Too many Ali Baba contractors
Published on: Wednesday, January 07, 2015
Tawau: The Sabah Bumiputera Contractors and Entrepreneurs Association (Perkubs) wants the government to find a comprehensive solution to address the Ali Baba issue among Class F contractors in Sabah.Its President Abu Bakar Jambuan @ Omar said a comprehensive solution was needed to resolve the matter which has now become a "never-ending" issue.He said it was pitiful when the Class F Bumiputera contractor only gets five per cent out of the total contract value from middlemen (Ali Baba) for using their licence. "This kind of practice must be eliminated and eradicated for this is not healthy as well as affects others' opportunity. Our genuine contractors must be given opportunity to show their ability," he said, Tuesday.
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Asked whether the issue is serious here Abu Bakar said yes."It is very serious in Tawau and needs attention from the Government," he said, adding that those involved could be identified and some of them were also using other's names in order to get Ali Baba projects.In a related issue, Abu Bakar appealed to the government to hold the ballot draw for projects for Class F contractors at least once every three months. "We've heard that it is done once monthly in Peninsular Malaysia," he said.According to him, Perkubs's suggestion was logical because the State Government has many agencies and Government-linked-companies (GLC) such as Yayasan Sabah, Sawit Kinabalu, Benta Wawasan Sdn Bhd, Public Works Department, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) that have development projects to offer.
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Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman when opening the Sabah Bumiputera Chambers of Commerce (SBCC) 20th annual general meeting late last year had expressed disappointment that despite many opportunities given by the government to the bumiputera contractors some of them only aimed for quick bucks by giving it to others to do.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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According to him, bumiputera contractors must be brave to take the risk should they be given the opportunity as the main contractor in a development project. "Do not Ali Baba the project," said Musa.
