Media reports alleging that a company owned by Nasir Baki, the brother of former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, was awarded contracts worth approximately RM178mil for the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and toll payment system have raised serious concerns. This is no longer merely a government procurement issue, but one that directly affects the government's integrity, credibility and commitment to transparency.
Beyond the company's capability to undertake the project, the public deserves to know whether the procurement process was conducted fairly, openly and transparently. MCA Youth therefore calls on Transport Minister Anthony Loke to publicly answer the following questions:
1. Was the RM178mil contract awarded through an open tender?
2. How many companies participated in the bidding process?
3. What were the selection criteria?
4. Who evaluated and approved the award?
5. If there was no open tender, what procurement procedure was followed?
When the Democratic Action Party (DAP) was in opposition, it consistently championed open tenders, transparent governance and the rejection of conflicts of interest. The public also remembers that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with DAP leaders and supporters, demanded Azam Baki's resignation over the controversy involving his share trading account, insisting that any potential conflict of interest must be investigated thoroughly.
Today, however, media reports alleging that companies linked to Nasir Baki have secured public contracts worth billions of ringgit, including the Transport Ministry's RM178mil VEP contract, have inevitably raised fresh questions about whether the same standards are still being upheld.
The government should also explain the status of its previously announced investigations into the alleged "corporate mafia" and the Azam Baki shareholding controversy. Have these investigations been completed? If so, why have the findings not been made public?
Anti-corruption efforts depend on credibility, and credibility can only be maintained through transparency and accountability. If the government is confident that all procedures were properly followed, it should release the relevant procurement documents, including the tender process, evaluation reports and approval records.
The public expects consistent standards of integrity, regardless of whether a political party is in opposition or in government. Anthony Loke should provide a full explanation of the contract without further delay and demonstrate that the government's commitment to reform and transparency is reflected in its actions, not merely its rhetoric.
Mike Chong Yew Chuan
MCA National Youth Deputy Chief
