Selangor mobility deal raises serious questions about integrity, says FT Perikatan secretary

PETALING JAYA: Serious questions have been raised about the transparency and integrity of Selangor's tender process following the issue involving a company co-founded by Hannah Yeoh's husband Ramachandran Muniandy, says a Perikatan Nasional leader.

Federal Territories Perikatan secretary Dr Mahathir Mohd Rais said procurement of the state project by Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd, which belongs to Ramachandran, smacks of potential nepotism within the corridors of power.

"This incident not only draws scrutiny due to the familial ties involved but also because of the broader implications it has for the public's trust in their elected officials," he said in a statement on Monday (May 27).

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He said a comprehensive examination of the case was needed to determine, among other matters, the criteria used in awarding the project to Asia Mobility Technologies.

"Given (Youth and Sports Minister) Yeoh's proximity to a beneficiary of the tender process, what steps were taken to ensure that her connection did not influence the decision-making process?

"The impact on governance and public trust and how this issue affects the broader policy landscape is crucial," he added.

Rais said as the public eye becomes ever more critical, the question remains if this controversy will lead to a commitment to reform or become another example of unfulfilled promises.

On Sunday (May 26), MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to look into the awarding of the demand responsive transit (DRT) Selangor Mobility Initiative pilot project to Ramachandran's company.

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On Friday (May 24), Selangor investment, trade and mobility committee chairman Ng Sze Han issued a statement on the awarding of the project.

Ng explained that Asia Mobility, founded in 2018, was appointed in October last year to provide DRT services because it had the necessary credentials.

He said two companies – Asia Mobility and Badan Bas Coach Sdn Bhd – were given the nod by the Land Public Transport Agency to run the services when the state initiated the DRT pilot project.

The statement followed an uproar on X over the company’s appointment.

The X account Aduan Rakyat (Citizens’ Complaints) asked why such a new company was given the contract, whether or not there had been an open tender, and if the involvement of Yeoh’s husband was reflective of any conflict of interest.