Loke cancels RM800k contract to write weekly articles for minister


PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry has cancelled a contract worth RM808,000 for the writing of weekly articles by the minister.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook (pic) said the contract was signed on Jan 24, 2018.

“The Transport Ministry officials, who briefed me on this finding, said it was worth about RM808,000, purportedly for a series of weekly articles in a newspaper, to be published in a seven-month period.

“I am not sure what this allocation is exactly, and although it says ministerial communications, the communications team here is unable to discover its actual scope.

“As such, I am cancelling this contract immediately. No money has been paid or demanded by the company involved as yet,” he told a press conference here on Tuesday.

Loke said he had no need to continue the “public relations exercise”, saying he was communicating directly with the media and the public.

“The discovery of this contract shows the unnecessary expenditure by the previous government,” he said.

On the announcement by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad of a possible second national car to replace Proton, Loke declined to comment, saying he will leave it to the Prime Minister to elaborate.

He, however, assured that for the Ministry, public transport would still be a key focus, as it was the way forward.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Thin wire identified as cause of minor explosion LRT Kelana Jaya line
Cops to propose tougher penalties for driving under influence offences
121 lorry drivers among those nabbed after testing positive for drugs in integrated operation
Sabah tipper lorry operators protest exclusion from diesel subsidy
Selangor Sultan thanks Anwar and Najib for LRT3, hits out at Guan Eng and Tony Pua
AGC 'no' to bid for withdrawal of assault charge by woman who tried to hug Perak Ruler
AKPS facing manpower shortage, only 54% have accepted new service scheme
Malaysia, Australia forge strategic defence partnership on rocket, missile technology
Sabah's biodiversity blueprint plays key role in global conservation efforts, says CM
AKPS proposes Glock pistols as weapon of choice for its officers

Others Also Read