No more letters of support, says Tee Keat
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| Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat |
Its minister, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, said today this was in line with the cabinet decision last week made after a brainstorming session at the National Key Results Areas (NKRA) laboratories.
“I would also want to seek cooperation from others, especially the people’s representatives, legislators, political leaders and grassroot leaders, not to issue such letters because at the end of the day, this would not be entertained," he told a press conference at the ministry.
“This decision was made in line with the cabinet decision following our NKRA workshop deliberations."
He expressed the hope that others would understand that political leaders should not entertain requests for letters of support made by people in their constituencies or individuals and companies involved in tenders.
Stressing good corporate governance, Ong also said he has decided to extend the recommendations made by the ad hoc committee on good corporate governance, set up last year to tackle the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue.
“What was recommended can be used not only by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) but is also suitable for use by other government agencies under this ministry," he said.
“So, the good corporate governance that we have been talking about that I had received sometime ago from the committee is going to be extended to all agencies or port commissions under this ministry."
He said the various taglines spelt out by the committee include the requirement for one third of the board of directors to comprise independent or non-partisan members.
The good corporate governance will also see a new initiative called the whistle-blowing policy which Ong is expected to launch tomorrow.
Asked the reason for the cabinet’s decision, Ong said he would not elaborate further but said he felt the decision was relevant to the ministry’s effort to create a positive culture in the ministry.
Asked whether the decision was made based on the PKFZ issue, Ong said: “This particular
directive is not linked to PKFZ.”
Meanwhile, Ong also announced the new secretary-general for the ministry is Datuk Long See Wool, who is taking over from Datuk Seri Zakaria Bahari effective Jan 26.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) clarified that letter of support sincerely issued without offering or demand for bribery is not an offence.
In a statement, the chief commissioner office's corporate communication unit stated that the issuance of letter of support will be liable to an offence under the MACC Act 2009 if:
> The letter is issued to an individual or company, which has conflict of interest to the writer himself, relatives or associates;
> Someone is forced to bribe for the issuance of the letter of support; and
> Someone, relatives, or associates are promised of bribe should a project is approved as a result of the letter of support.
@ Lim Kit Siang's blog
Away with support letters, cries DAP leader
by Rahmah Ghazali | Malaysiakini
DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang urged government ministries to get cracking for a total ban on government support letters for those tendering for its projects.
In response to Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat’s statement on the a move by the ministry on Wednesday, Lim had said it was a step in the right direction.
The Ipoh Timor MP said ministries should, instead, replace the questionable support letters with the open tender system.
“The prime minister, PM’s department and other ministries should impose a total ban on support letters and practise open tenders, so questions over the letters would vanish.
“If there are open tenders, then there would be accountability and transparency. They would be open to public scrutiny and all will depend on the merits and demerits of the proposals,” said Lim when contacted.
Anti-graft warriors sleeping on the job?
On Wednesday, the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) had justified support letters, saying no corrupt practices were involved.
However, the English daily New Straits Times reported that it was against the law to issue a support letter to an individual or company in which the issuer or his family or partners had a vested interest.
Despite that Ong said the ministry will impose the ban in order to instill a culture of good governance and as a result of the exchange of ideas at the National Key Result Ares (NKRA) laboratories.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Derek Fernandez told Malaysiakini that the support letters could impact negatively on the image of a particular administration.
According to him, it would still be acceptable if the intent in issuing the letter for endorsement was “in a nature for character reference or legal or administrative purposes.
“However, if the letter is intended to put pressure on the ultimate decision maker directly or indirectly, then that would be improper,” he said.
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