The rationale is to help these Bumiputera contractors overcome structural disadvantages, build capacity, and ensure equitable participation in the construction industry.
No one has an issue with this policy.
However, not when it is misuse i.e the so called contracts do not reach the Bumiputera contractors in general but was awarded to nominees and cronies of politicians who scream day and night non stop for contracts to be awarded to bumiputera contractors.
A case in point, the Jana Wibawa program initiated by PM8 in 2020.
Designed as a Covid-19 economic stimulus to accelerate projects for Bumiputera contractors, the Jana Wibawa programme had an estimated approved budget of RM7 billion in government infrastructure projects, with reports indicating that 56 specific projects under the scheme were valued at RM6.3 billion.
The former finance minister Tengku Zafrul testifying as the 11th prosecution witness in former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s power abuse and money laundering trial in connection to the Jana Wibawa project, claimed that PM8 had issued a letter to him to propose the appointment of 54 contractors for 54 projects under Jana Wibawa through direct negotiation.
Another was to Sutracom to build and upgrade the Pulau Indah highway in Klang, Selangor for RM605.2 million.
Based on recent records, there are approximately 1,965 total G6 contractors and 10,210 total G7 contractors in the industry.
Even though the exact number of registered Bumiputera contractors in Grades G6 and G7 fluctuates daily, Bumiputera contractors make up a significant majority of these figures.
Contractors in Grade G6 can tender for projects valued up to RM10 million while those in Grade G7 can tender for projects with no maximum limit.
54 contractors, presumably all holding G7 licences.
54 contractors, only 0.5% of the total 10,210 G7 contractors registered with CIDB.
Are the politicians helping themselves or helping the Bumiputera contractors?
Shame on the politicians and also all those Bumiputera contractors who are still voting for these politicians and their political parties in every election.
It was always about themselves, what is in it for them and not for the ordinary bumiputera contractors.
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