Zahrain and Tan Tee Beng: Two self-serving MPs!

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has defended the Penang Development Corporation (PDC)'s decision to reject a bid by a company recommended by the state-owned Island Golf Properties Bhd.

Lim, who is also PDC chairperson, said the company was the sole bidder in an open tender for the privatised management of the Bukit Jambul Golf & Country Club (BJCC), owned by Island Golf.

In a statement today, he said the company was only formed on Sept 29, 2008 "clearly for the sole purpose of bidding for tenders", and that it does not have the required experience.

The company was established with an initial paid-up capital of RM2 and authorised capital of RM100,000.

"To allow a RM2 private company to win a tender that involves the expenditure of tens of millions of ringgit would make a mockery of the open tender system" Lim said.

A fresh tender process has since been called, resulting in seven other companies submitting bids. The successful bidder will be determined on Feb 9.

This became an issue when Penang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow accused PKR's Bayan Baru parliamentarian Zahrain Mohamed Hashim of criticising Lim out of 'frustration' over the outcome of the open tender.

Zahrain was appointed director and chairperson of Island Golf Properties on July 9, 2008, several weeks before the proposal to outsource management of the BJCC was mooted at a board meeting.

His complaint against Lim had hogged the headlines last week, feeding speculation on fissures in Pakatan Rakyat.

MP accused of nepotism

Zahrain, however, has refuted all the claims against him, calling them "blatant lie(s)".

He said the management of the company had agreed to increase the paid-up capital so that it would be entitled to participate in the tender process.

"Everything was done through proper procedures, but Lim jumped to conclusions and told the tender committee to reverse the award…without consulting me," he told the New Straits Times.

Zahrain (left) added that he has decided to sue Penang DAP for its accusations, including rumours linking his son to the bidding company.

PKR's Nibong Tebal parliamentarian Tan Tee Beng has not been spared either, with Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik questioning his agenda in criticising the chief minister over the same issue.

In a statement issued today, Ng said Tan was only making noise because his relative was unable to bid for a shoplot at a lower price.

"Clearly Tan's grumbles against Lim have nothing to do with political principles or public interest," he added.

(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)