Sim says open tenders still ongoing, remains vague on alleged letter to Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: No open tenders linked to padi subsidy contracts have been cancelled, and these are still awaiting approval from the Finance Ministry, says the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.

However, Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin (pic) remained vague on claims that there was a request made to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to award a RM1.4bil contract to the National Farmers Association (Nafas).

"At the moment, the open tender process is still ongoing and there is no dispute over the issue as raised by YB Ayer Hitam (Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong)," Sim said when responding to questions raised by the MCA president while debating Budget 2020 in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 21).

Dr Wee interjected and claimed that there was proof that the open tenders had received approval at the relevant stages but were later cancelled by Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

"If you said the tenders were done in accordance to the process, why were they cancelled ... and then given directly to Nafas?" he asked.

He said this was against Pakatan Harapan's principle against awarding direct contracts.

Dr Wee asked Sim to show what kind of process allowed an awarded tender to be cancelled, and the contract given to another party directly.

"If you want to protect your boss, go ahead but we want him to answer and make a declaration.

"If you as a junior minister can't answer, then at least give it in writing," he said.

A brief shouting match erupted over the issue and Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon called for calm and told Sim to continue with his answer.

Sim insisted the tenders had not been cancelled but were still in the process of getting final approval from the Finance Ministry.

He also said that he and Salahuddin were not involved in the process.

Dr Wee then asked Sim to confirm if Salahuddin had indeed written a letter on Nov 7 to the Prime Minister over the RM1.4bil contract to Nafas.

"Please confirm if there is such a letter," he said, adding that Sim should lodge a police report if such a letter did not exist.

Instead of confirming the letter, Sim asked how Dr Wee obtained the letter.

"We usually receive appeals letters which we forward to the higher powers," Sim added.

Earlier, Dr Wee had questioned why open tenders for padi subsidy-related contracts worth RM52.4mil were cancelled and given to others through direct negotiation.