WITH government tenders worth more than RM6 bil involving more than 600 companies suspected of being “bid rigged”, the time is certainly ripe for the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to join forces to tackle such leakages.
In this regard, both enforcement agencies have come to a mutual understanding that joint investigations are necessary, if not, vital, to manage cases involving bid rigging and systematic corruption
“With this in mind, both parties further agreed for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be formalised to create a platform where they may work together seamlessly,” MyCC noted in a statement.
Earlier, MyCC led by its CEO Iskandar Ismail had paid a courtesy call to MACC whereby an all-inclusive discussion was held with MACC’s chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki.
“MyCC is currently investigating tenders worth more than RM6 bil involving more than 600 companies that may have issues not only concerning bid rigging but also elements of corruption,” revealed Iskandar.
“With MACC on board, there will be a more rounded solution to the leakages in government procurement.”
According to Iskandar, such collaborative effort is an essential step towards the improvement of the national economy along with the creation of a clean competitive economic setting among businessmen, companies or consulting firms when participating in government procurement projects.
Established in June 2011, MyCC is an independent body responsible for enforcing the Competition Act 2010 which was implemented to create healthy competition to stimulate productivity and innovation, thus creating wider choices of products for consumers with better quality and at reasonable prices.
The Act applies to all commercial activities undertaken within and outside of Malaysia that affect competition in the Malaysian market. It provides a regulatory framework including powers to investigate, adjudicate and impose penalties on the perpetrators of the competition laws. – Nov 13, 2020
