By Rahmat Khairulrijal | New Straits Times
Direct negotiation has long been a government procurement method and was not introduced specifically for the Jana Wibawa project, former finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz told the High Court today.
He said the method had been used by successive administrations, including those led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Tengku Zafrul, who is testifying in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s trial involving seven charges linked to the Jana Wibawa project, said there was “nothing sinister” about direct negotiations, which were commonly used for national security, public interest and emergency situations.
“Direct negotiation is normal. It is used for national security, public interest and urgent situations,” he said during cross-examination by Muhyiddin’s lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad before Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin.
He agreed that Malaysia faced an unprecedented economic crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, requiring stimulus measures to protect businesses and jobs.
Tengku Zafrul said Jana Wibawa was among initiatives introduced to revive the economy, particularly the construction sector and Bumiputera contractors affected by the pandemic.
He said the project was proposed in the public interest, with urgency being a key factor in adopting the direct negotiation method.
He also told the court that the Finance Ministry had conducted the necessary studies before presenting the proposal to the cabinet.
Earlier, during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Tengku Zafrul maintained that he did not know who prepared the list of 54 contractors proposed under the project.
He also said he was unaware how the project values were determined or how contractors were matched to specific projects.
When questioned, he confirmed Muhyiddin had never instructed him to cancel procurements involving any of the companies listed, including KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd, Nepuris Sdn Bhd and Sutera Corp Sdn Bhd.
Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president and Pagoh MP, faces four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM232.5 million in alleged gratification for the party and three counts of money laundering involving RM200 million.
The trial continues tomorrow.
