Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

THE value of transparency and accountability in governance could not have been more emphasised by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s recent disclosure of 101 projects approved through direct negotiations.

He reportedly told Parliament early this week that the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government approved the 101 projects to the tune of RM6.61 billion, which sparked a ruckus among lawmakers as the opposition was put in a bad light as a result.

Upon insistence of parliamentarians from both sides of the divide, Zafrul released details of the contracts, which make for an interesting and intriguing read as they, in turn, prompt more questions.

The disclosure invited censure from the opposition as they pointed out that PH was responsible for only 5.3% of the total projects, while the rest came from those approved by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government. In other words, they said, the list is misleading.

For instance, former deputy international trade and industry minister Ong Kian Ming reminded Zafrul that four of the nine direct-negotiation contracts were clinched before PH came to power in 2018.

Similarly, Malaysians were told by the opposition that the RM4.4 billion Klang Valley double-track project (phase II), also known as KVDT2, was awarded by BN before PH took over. And yet, Zafrul included it in the 101 list.

PH eventually renegotiated with the contractor to reduce the quantum by 15% from RM5.265 billion to RM4.475 billion.

The sudden disclosure also took certain Perikatan Nasional ministers, particularly those who were in the PH cabinet, by surprise.

In particular, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said she is unaware of two contracts awarded through direct negotiation by her ministry when she was with the PH government.

One contract valued at RM170.3 million was meant for a solid waste-disposal station at Taman Beringin, Jinjang Utara, Kuala Lumpur.

She insists that these projects were approved without her knowledge, despite photographs supposedly of her visiting the site of the proposed Taman Beringin station some time last year, which have been making their rounds on social media. These photographs are apparently taken from her Facebook account.

It begs the question, as certain lawmakers had already asked, how a project of such high value could possibly be approved without her knowledge.

Accusing her of sleeping on the job regarding this project, as a few did, would be an unfair assessment of a politician who supposedly is adept at making political moves she considers appropriate and opportune.

Another issue that is perplexing to ordinary Malaysians is about the book (or possibly some copies), A Better World Volume 5: Actions and Commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, that was bought by the Economic Affairs Ministry, then headed by Mohamed Azmin Ali, via direct negotiation.

RM21,022.86 was spent for a book that can be accessed online free of charge.

Another question has also been raised by certain inquisitive social-media users pertain to the purchase of ink/toners for printers by the Transport Ministry: does it require direct negotiation at all?

Indeed, the disclosure and the ensuing questions above show the importance of transparency and accountability in government as the contracts involved taxpayers’ money.

It also suggests that direct negotiation should only be conducted when it is really necessary, and not at the whim and fancy of the powers-that-be.

To show his seriousness about transparency, Zafrul should go the whole hog by also releasing a list of direct-negotiation projects approved by the previous BN and current PN governments.

Malaysians have the right to know whether taxpayers’ funds have been spent for the benefit of the people.   

Government in a democracy must be made to account. – August 28, 2020.