No need to curry favour with ministers, Loke tells contractors

16 Mar 2024 • 5:36 PM MYT
Daily Express
Daily Express

Daily Express Online (Malaysia) is Sabah's top-ranked & most viewed English news site. It is also Sabah's leading & most circulated daily English newspaper.

image is not available

PETALING JAYA: Contractors who win government awards should just focus on getting the job done well, instead of trying to curry favour with the ministers, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.

Loke said there was no need to “know the minister” in such a situation.

“As far as the current government is concerned, you don’t need to know the minister. You just need to know how to do your work.

“Most importantly, do your work well,” he said at a “Pay As Use” contract handover ceremony between the Railway Asset Corporation (RAC) and SMH Rail Sdn Bhd.

SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year. Read more Loke, who shared a video of his speech on his Instagram account, confessed to not knowing the owner of SMH Rail before today’s event.

SMH Rail is a Malaysian company that manufactures locomotives, wagons and rail axles, and provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

He said he hoped SMH Rail can deliver on its agreement with RAC, adding that the company’s performance will be monitored by the ministry.

“So I would like to offer this gentle reminder, we hope this responsibility will be carried out to the best of your (SMH Rail’s) ability.”

Loke said the company played an important role in helping the government with its goal to encourage the use of trains for cargo, with the aim of reducing heavy vehicles on the road. He said this would, in turn, help to reduce the number of road accidents.

“If you don’t do well and you don’t deliver, then don’t expect to be given other opportunities from the transport ministry, or even from the government.

“So, I hope this is a challenge (to) whichever companies that win government contracts, do your work well,” he said.

* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.

* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.