The Penang government is curious as to why certain companies have enjoyed a monopoly on contracts from the Seberang Perai Municipal Council during the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

lim guan eng penang cable car event 191208 04 Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who intends to end the practice, noted that these companies - most of them linked to Umno - were awarded contracts despite delivering poor services.

One company was awarded a contract for maintenance and cleaning work in 24 wet markets in Seberang Perai, but was found to have fallen short of standards, he told a press conference in George Town today.

Lim also alleged that certain politically influential individuals had set up companies under different owners to dominate the contracts.

However, a state government probe has revealed that these companies were linked to the same persons.

teng hock nan Lim took a swipe at Gerakan state chief Dr Teng Hock Nan (left) , who had previously handled the local government affairs portfolio.

Saying that Teng should explain why certain companies had dominated the contracts, Lim said: "Ask Dr Teng why, why and why?"

Lim also said the current system of awarding contracts would be changed based on meritocracy.

“We would not mind awarding contracts to Umno-linked companies so long their performance is up to our expectations. After all, we did invite BN representatives to assist the Pakatan government,” he said.

New condition for contractors

On another subject, Lim wants both the local councils and state secretariat to blacklist contractors who fail to give priority to hiring local workers over foreigners.

The condition on hiring local human resources will be stipulated in all new contracts to be awarded at state level, Lim said.

Companies that have already secured contracts will be advised to comply with the requirement.

Saying that he wants to reduce the number of foreigners working in Penang, Lim called on all locals seeking low-skill jobs to register at the state human resources department.

"Local contractors such as those handling construction work, cleaning services and grass-cutting should give priority to locals, or they will be blacklisted," he said.

dr s subramaniam His remarks followed a statement by Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam that the federal government plans to reduce the number of foreign workers to 1.5 million by 2015. Currently, about 2.2 million of the 11.3 million national workforce are foreigners.

Lim also said that many Indian Malaysians and Malays have complained that they could not secure jobs in the private sector because of competition from foreigners.

"We found these are legitimate complaints and aim to change the situation," he added.