PUTRAJAYA: Prove your worth and deliver or face the music is what the Communications Ministry will be telling Internet infrastructure contractors, says its minister.
Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry had uncovered misconduct involving several companies awarded government projects with projects not delivered two years past their deadlines.
“In fact, I discovered that some of the companies which were awarded these projects admitted to selling them to other firms,” he told a press conference after the ministry’s monthly assembly here on Friday (Sept 20).
“I am leaving it to the KSU (secretary general) to review and implement improvements in the execution of these projects,” he said, adding the ministry would consider blacklisting the companies involved.
He stressed that companies appointed to undertake government projects must demonstrate their full capability to execute and complete them to prevent wastage and the mismanagement of public funds.
“In the past, I have observed that substantial contracts were awarded to a small number of companies. This not only compromises integrity but also hinders effective execution.
“When too many projects are entrusted to a single company, it becomes evident that they cannot meet the required deadlines.
“Therefore, we are calling for a review of this practice, and companies must prove their competence. Those awarded projects must show their ability to deliver. Failure to do so should result in swift and decisive action.
“For example, some projects that were meant to be completed by December 2022 remain unfinished. How were these companies selected in the first place?” he asked.
He did not provide specific details regarding the number of companies involved or the locations of the projects but said all companies or contractors appointed by the ministry must execute or complete their projects within the stipulated timeline.
“We have instructed the companies to expedite the process. Should they fail, legal action can be taken.
“I am not naming any particular state, but it has occurred, and I have instructed my team to investigate, as we do not want any delays.
“The issue is that several companies, after being awarded contracts, failed to execute the projects. When this occurred, we issued the sternest warnings.
Fahmi noted that these problematic projects arose before his tenure as minister and expressed surprise at how the approval process for these projects had been handled.
“Regrettably, many of these decisions were made prior to my appointment, and before the Deputy Minister (Teo Nie Ching) and the Secretary-General (KSU) joined the ministry. We are uncertain how some of these decisions were reached.
