A local councillor from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBSJ) has claimed that there are some dubious dealings between the Pakatan Rakyat-run Selangor government and solid waste management company Alam Flora Sdn Bhd.

thiruvenggadam selangor state schools directive from educative minister 240309 02 Outspoken grassroots PKR leader A Thiruvenggadam alleged that the state divides Alam Flora's waste management contracts to political parties - 40 percent to PKR, 30 percent to PAS and 30 percent to DAP.

According to him, Selangor executive councillor and the state's local government, studies and research chair Ronnie Liu should be held responsible for denying the matter.

Moreover, he has claimed that 70 percent of the contracts which are under the prerogative of the state is designed to finance the political parties and divisions which lack funds.

"In 2009, 30 percent is kept by Alam Flora for contractors of their choice. The remaining 70 percent of its work is handled by contractors picked by the state government," he said.

He also told Malaysiakini that the 11 councils which annually paid Alam Flora to upkeep the cleanliness of their areas have "no say" in the selection of contractors and that they are chosen by Pakatan Rakyat state assemblypersons, executive councillors and members of Parliament.

"MBSJ has paid RM43.36 million in 2007, RM47.5 million in 2008 and RM48 million in 2009 to Alam Flora... and this is 20 percent of the council's total collection.

"Out of 12 town and city councils in Selangor, excluding Ulu Selangor, 11 councils pay about 20 percent of each council’s collection which are gained from assessment tax and other payment, to Alam Flora," he said.

Councillor: 'Liu is lying'

He stated that the state government issued a directive to Alam Flora instructing the company to provide 70 percent of its contracts to state-friendly companies.

Thiruvenggadam also claimed that Liu was "lying" when he (Liu) said there was no such pact.

"Liu should immediately resign for lying to the public on this matter... our debate is on Alam Flora contracts and not any other normal council contracts, Liu should not sidetrack the public.

"The contracts are worth hundreds of millions. Why not the menteri besar and other three state excos in charge of distributing to their political parties come forward and clear the air," he said.

"If the rubbish is not collected or the drains are not cleaned, the public accuse councillors and councils (because the) public pay (their) assessment (fees) to the councils and not to Alam Flora.

"When contractors are chosen by politicians, especially by state assembly representatives and MPs, and if there are subsequent complaints of rubbish collection to the councils, do you know how difficult it will be for the council and Alam Flora to act on these contractors?

"We will not be running a clean and fair government, out of personal interest, these politicians will start interfering... (and) people will join political parties to make money, just like in the past," he lamented.

He added that the profits made from the contracts must be a good source for funding the three parties and it is apparent that the politicians will deny it.

He claimed that "a friend from DAP" who is also a councillor had mentioned that the alleged 30 percent which was allocated to the party was dispersed through an open tender.

"What puzzles me is, how can a political party implement open tender for contracts (when) only a government can do it... we need rules and guidelines and a government machinery. An individual political party cannot do it," said Thiruvenggadam.

He warned that serious problems could arise if the matter is not solved soon and reiterated that councils should be given "a free hand to choose contractors and they (should ensure that) Alam Flora be made liable for any wrongdoings."

Liu: He must substantiate his facts

parliament dap pc on ronnie 171108 ronnie liu Meanwhile, Liu dismissed the councillor's allegations. “The contractors have not been changed... we are still employing the same contractors from last year,” he said.

He called on Thiruvenggadam to produce evidence to back his claims.

"He better be able to substantiate his facts as we have never used such a formula... (and) how could he make such allegations when he is not part of the state government," said Liu.

Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Roslan Sakiman however, gave a non-committal answer when quizzed about the matter.

"The council pays Alam Flora for the work done and if we are unsatisfied with their work then we lodge a complaint and instruct them to change their contractors," he said.

"However, it is not in ours hands to who and how the contracts are given out to the contractors - whether it is to the lowest bidder or to the state – it is not under our prerogative," he said.

"As long as the cleanliness is maintained... we do not get involved," he added.