MMC-Gamuda wins with hashtag, but Twitter users point out hypocrisy

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 5 years ago · Published on 10 Oct 2018 3:00PM · 9 Comments

Lawyer Syahredzan Johan has slammed MMC-Gamuda for its 'disingenuous hashtag' #SaveMRT2, implying that the company is insincere in its efforts to defend employees. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 10, 2018.

THE hashtag #SaveMRT2 launched by MMC-Gamuda Bhd has scored the company its first victory in efforts to save its contract to handle the underground portion of the Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 (MRT2) project.

On Sunday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that while the infrastructure development firm would continue work on the above-ground sections of the line, the contract relating to the project’s underground portion would be terminated.

He said the decision was part of Putrajaya’s cost-cutting measures, and that the government would issue a new international tender for the job.

In response, the company launched a social media campaign to persuade the government to reconsider its decision, using the hashtags #SaveMRT2, #prayforMRT2, #Save20000Jobs and #save20kjobs in its tweets.

MMC-Gamuda has claimed that axing the contract puts 20,000 jobs on the line.

The campaign quickly gained momentum, pushed forward by workers involved in the contract, and resulted in Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announcing yesterday that the government will review its decision to re-tender the underground works for the multibillion-ringgit project.

Today, lawyer Syahredzan Johan slammed MMC-Gamuda for its “disingenuous hashtag” #SaveMRT2, implying that the company is insincere in its efforts to defend employees.

“The MRT2 will proceed, with or without Gamuda,” he said on Twitter.

“Also, if you terminate your workers just because you lost one part of the project, then you are a s***ty employer,” said the political secretary to DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.

Syahredzan, in another tweet, said while he sympathises with the affected workers, he is doubtful of the 20,000 figure claimed by Gamuda.

“But don’t be fooled by the Gamuda boss’ media game. If they are sincere about their workers, then cut profit to save them.

“I don’t know whether the decision to terminate the contract was right or wrong. But I cannot stand seeing a company, which makes billions in profit, campaign using their workers as an excuse.”

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced that the government will review its decision to re-tender the underground works for the multibillion-ringgit Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 project. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 10, 2018.

Many other social media users shared his views, saying while MMC-Gamuda appears to have won the hashtag war, its campaign reeks of hypocrisy.

“I am confused. Why is a company mobilising people to support them?” said Twitter user Azure All (@Azrul_xX).

“We all know that MRT2 was not cancelled. Only the contract of a company terminated.”

Responding to a Gamuda tweet, Andrew Leong (@LYTeffect) reiterated that the project has not been scrapped.

“MRT2 given go ahead. Just without Gamuda. Don’t mislead people here, ok.”

HNS (@__earth), referring to the #SaveMRT2 hashtag, asked whether it is MRT2 or Gamuda that needs saving.

“Pick your battleground where you can win. MRT2 still jalan (going ahead), but not for MMC-Gamuda,” said Marlo (@melblangley).

Sam Khoo (@KoolSammm) said if Gamuda wants to support Malaysia, it should “do the right thing” by reducing its “exorbitant cost” to build the project’s underground portion.

Earlier today, Damansara MP Tony Pua said MMC-Gamuda’s refusal to further cut the cost of developing the underground portion of the MRT2 project led to the government’s termination of the contract.

In an open letter to the company’s directors, Pua said MMC-Gamuda is unwilling to reduce its charges by more than RM2.13 billion, to RM14.58 billion, even after an independent engineering consultant said the total cost could be slashed by at least another RM2 billion.

Pua, who is political secretary to Lim, slammed MMC-Gamuda’s “obvious brazen attempt to paint yourself as an innocent victim”, saying the open letter is meant to set the record straight on negotiations between the Finance Ministry and the company prior to the contract termination. – October 10, 2018.

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Comments

  • Easy for those who are not losing their jobs or livelihoods to talk. I don't know if Gamuda is an innocent victim, but these 20,000 folks sure are.

    Posted 5 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

    • So it is govt responsibility ensure they are employed? I also wanna ask govt to find job for me.

      Posted 5 years ago by Chean Ang Heng · Reply

  • Don't back down PH. you guys still have 5 years to go. If you want to be unpopular and do the right thing, this is the best time. Don't let MMC-Gamuda hold the Govt in ransom.

    Posted 5 years ago by Chean Ang Heng · Reply

  • PH government is becoming a hypocrite government who is now trying to intimidate and harass private companies involved in the Government projects. If it's the gut and capability, why not go and chase after all the corrupted UMNO warlords that could be worth many billions over.

    Posted 5 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

    • duhh..only "corrupted Umno warlord" ? So...big selfish and greedy companies like MMC-Gamuda, kiss their as* ?? Wonder who is really the hypocrite..you or the government?

      Posted 5 years ago by Edi suleiman · Reply

  • In the interest of the nations health and well being, the government is right in reviewing all mega contracts. Irrespective who is behind these companies, the government should and must review exorbitant contracts and if need be seek an alternative solution for a reduced contract value..
    In the case of the MRT2 project, the new company appointed to complete the tunnelling portion of the contract can re-employ the affected staff. Also, an audit should be conducted on the total number of staff affected.

    Posted 5 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply

  • The workers should also put pressure on MMC-Gamuda not to be over-greedy and use them as pawns in the dispute with the government.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • The workers should also put pressure on MMC-Gamuda not to be over-greedy and not to use them as pawns in the dispute with the government.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • The blind man only listens to fools word without seeing in believing. Cannot blame them. The wise man listen, judge, see the big picture and seek more answer as he/she " don't know".

    The actual construction cost for the completion of MRT2 is not being claimed as it is. PH are neither blind so do Tun M. They know what we don't know. And what I know the contract was awarded to MMC-Gamuda and was sub-contract to 1 or 2 Ali Baba company before was awarded to the down-line sub-contractors which reflect the real construction cost.

    This is the only what the newly elected Government, other parts of the clean Government do for the benefit the people. Don't they see the logic behind of all this hu-ha? Anyway, livelihoods of the people are not affected anyway. For those well or over paid Gamuda staff for doing nothing. God Bless Your Day.

    Posted 5 years ago by Corruption Buster · Reply