PAKATAN Harapan (PH) did not approve a direct tender for the RM450 million building project in Tunjong, Kelantan as it was a continuation of a project endorsed by the previous Barisan Nasional government, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

PH has come under severe criticism recently following a leaked document that suggested that the construction project was handed out without open tender, which went against the reforms promised by the ruling pact.

“You have seen the note, what I wrote is that this is a continuation of a project that was given to this company.

“What I said is this company is willing to reduce cost.

“I think is not a direct negotiation, it is only a continuation,” he said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.

On Sunday, Umno supreme council member Mohd Razlan Rafii had published a confidential letter addressed to the Prime Minister’s Office that indicated the Finance Ministry had conditionally agreed for a company called PDM Builders Sdn Bhd to undertake the project.

Dr Mahathir was then asked if he has met Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng over the matter.

“I have not met him yet but I will.”

Lim had said he had no knowledge of the direct negotiation for the project.

Malaysiakini yesterday reported that the approval for the project began during Najib Razak’s tenure as prime minister and finance minister.

The July 26 letter, which is being circulated on social media, said the Finance Ministry had purportedly agreed for a particular company to be appointed through direct negotiation for the construction of a federal building in Tunjong. – September 19, 2019.