Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi must explain why a lucrative contract was awarded to a company owned by his special officer, a DAP lawmaker said today.

Klang MP Charles Santiago said at the time the contract for the rehiring of undocumented workers was awarded to Bukti Megah Sdn Bhd, the director of the firm was Abdul Halim Suleiman, a special officer to Zahid.

He said Halim owned 70% of the company and his son, Mohamad Redzuan Halim owned the remainder.

“According to SSM records, Halim’s firm was, on March 27, 2014, awarded the contract, which allowed the firm to legalise workers from 15 source countries.

“This is a clear case of conflict of interest and abuse of power.

“It raises questions as to whether the home minister, who has absolute control over Immigration authorities, had used his influence to award the project to a key aide.

“Being the deputy prime minister as well increases Zahid’s influence.

“He needs to clarify if the contract to Bukti Megah was awarded on an open-tender basis,” Charles told a press conference at the media room in Parliament today. 

He also questioned why Halim and his son were no longer listed as the directors or owners following the updating of the company’s registration records on July 10.

“This is not just strange, but further shows that Zahid and Halim have skeletons to hide, as previous records show that the contract was awarded when Halim was the owner/director of Bukti Megah.”

He urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter, as there were enough discrepancies for a probe to be launched into Zahid and Halim.

Halim was assemblyman for Puteri Wangsa in Johor from 2004 to 2013, and is an Umno member. – August 8, 2017.