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KUALA LUMPUR: In a bold move, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong (pix) risked his job by promising to resign if caught lying.
This followed after a war of words broke out between Wee and his predecessor, Anthony Loke, when he was giving clarification on phase 2 of the Klang Valley Dual Track Project (KVDT2) during the clearance of the 2021 Budget for his ministry.
Wee said the government decided to reopen the KVDT2 tender as the original contractor was appointed through direct negotiations.
He said the decision effectively ruled out Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd (DMIA) and its partner Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) as the project’s contractor.
Wee said that KTM Bhd had also raised concerns about the competition from Dhaya Maju-LTAT to do work on KVDT2.
He said this was based on his observation about the first phase made by the company.
He said that the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Datuk Seri Azam Baki, had said in his letter that the procurement process for the project was not conducted in accordance with procedure.
Loke (PH-Seremban), who was dazzled at this time, said that the project was approved during Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai’s tenure as Transport Minister and Wee was also in cabinet as a minister in the prime minister’s department.
Loke then accused Wee of lying.
“Why are you jumping? If they find me lying, I’ll quit, ”Wee said at this point.
“You had 15 minutes to attack me during the debate while I was in the hospital; I have the right to explain what really happened.
“I will definitely take legal action to clear my name. Stop being a spokesperson for the company and respect the court decision, ”said Wee.
He added that he would present the necessary documents as evidence if challenged in court.
He said he stood firm on the Cabinet decision, saying that any company that is awarded through open tender must cooperate with LTAT to carry out the project.
Loke had previously questioned the government’s motive for canceling the Dhaya Maju-LTAT contract, saying the government would have to disburse RM1 billion in liquidation to the company.
It was reported that Dhaya Maju – LTAT received the original Letter of Award (LoA) in April 2018 for the KVDT2 project during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration and had started work.
The original KVDT2 award was canceled in October 2018 by the Pakatan Harapan government.
However, in July 2019, the PH government agreed to reappoint Dhaya Maju-LTAT to implement the KVDT2 project after taking legal implications into account.
On September 18, the High Court had dismissed a request by Dhaya Maju-LTAT for an injunction against the government and Wee to prohibit them from terminating a contract with the company for the construction of KVDT2, despite having completed 24% of the project. .
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