Show all complete contract documents

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Works Minister Datuk Mohamed Zin to present more complete documents on the 22 highways in the ministry's library, instead of just general documents as seen in the Smart Tunnel. Some older highways do have more documents.

On 6.1.09, Dr Tan comments on the statement of the Highway Board Director-General Datuk Mohamad Razali who denies that there is lack of sincerity in making contract documents public.

The Director-General should look at all the documents presented at the ministry's library. He will find that some such as the Smart Tunnel show only general contracts with no appendices. He should try to make incomplete documents complete.

Before the 1st of this month, the Works Ministry did not make these contract documents public. People suspected that there was a lack of transparency. Now, the public can queue up to view these documents; it is more open. If the materials are more comprehensive, then the people can understand them better.

I saw the Smart Tunnel contract yesterday. Reading the document, I don't feel the freshness. Since 2002, city folks have known that the project costs RM1.933 billion, the land cost being RM20 million. The concessionaire is Smart Holdings that has the concession for 40 years.

For instance, we want to know the shares structure of Smart Holdings: MMC 30%, Anglo-Oriental 20% and Gamuda 50%. Under what circumstance will MMC hand over its 30% to Anglo-Oriental?

Besides flood mitigating measures, there are no appendices to show the amount of toll collected and the ways with which compensation for reducing or refusing to increase toll rate are calculated.

The double deck motorway goes through the tunnel. Smart Holdings manages the tunnel including traffic control and surveillance system, toll plazas, flood gates, and traffic lanes. But, there are no details on the motorway.

Denying the public access to contract documents is one thing. Exhibiting less than complete documents is another. The Minister and the Director-General should show the various documents which are missing.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw