Nothing Beats Consultation
Pardon my limited intellectual capacity. I can't see the huge correlation between stimulating the national economy and no open tenders for public projects, although our leaders claim that this is to expedite the implementation of the stimulus package.
By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily
Is that progress or regression?
It is a RM500,000 question.
Introducing the newest gimmick in the government's stimulus plan–no open tenders for government projects worth under RM500,000.
Pardon my limited intellectual capacity. I can't see the huge correlation between stimulating the national economy and no open tenders for public projects, although our leaders claim that this is to expedite the implementation of the stimulus package.
If open tenders are too time-consuming, perhaps the process of open tenders could be streamlined and unnecessary procedures trimmed off. Harness the conveniences of electronic technology to perk up the efficiency of civil servants.
It is not too difficult to solve the problem. But whatever it is, open tenders of public projects should never be made a scapegoat.
Are we going to lop off our toes just to fit into a pair of undersized shoes, or are we going to replace them with another pair that fits snugly?
Okay. No public tenders. But how are future government projects going to be allocated?
The simplest and fastest way is to revert to the most primitive way of doing things–direct consultation.
This is exactly what those in UMNO are most fervent to subscribe to. As long as there is consultation, there is the channel, and opportunities will soon knock at your door.
But, this is also what the public abhor most. There are always the privileged few who could gain access to the channel, and opportunities.
Especially around the time of the UMNO elections, in which aspiring leaders with an eye on senior posts and admission to the core of power will need the ballot support from the delegates.
Different delegates fetch different price tags, and they are waiting for the deals to be sealed.
Be it the delegates who elect or are to be elected, they have all made substantial "investments," including making all sorts of pledges.
After the election, pledges have to be honoured, and the invested capitals recouped, plus the interests.
The simplest way is to bid for government projects. As long as direct consultation can be put into implementation, unlimited numbers of road, school and mosque building projects will keep streaming in, pricing unrestricted.
Once the tap is turned on, it's "All's Well That Ends Well."
Several months ago, overwhelmed by a powerful tsunami, some people were inspired to yell the slogans of reform, jumping into the bandwagon of condemning direct consultation. They wanted to replace that with open tenders.
Things are back to square one after just a short lapse of time.
Somehow, reform is too hard a thing to carry out.
