KOTA KINABALU: Local contractors should be given priority in the tender for development projects in Sabah and Sarawak, said Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui.
Even if local contractors do not have the required skills, they can form partnerships with other companies to undertake the project, he said.
By awarding development projects in Sabah to local companies, Lui said it would create job opportunities for locals, especially skilled workers.
Lui was commenting on Kalabakan Member of Parliament Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh’s call for development projects in Sabah to be given to locals instead of wealthy companies from Peninsular Malaysia.
Abdul Ghapur reckoned that the Pan Borneo Highway was one infrastructure project that should be awarded to Sabahans to benefit the state economy, but there was a letter being circulated that the said project was awarded to tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary’s company.
“We should protect the interest of local contractors,” Lui stressed.
Lui pointed out that the profit West Malaysian contractors gained from projects in the State would be brought out from Sabah, unlike local contractors, whose profits would be reinvested into the State and the interest of Sabahans.
Lui believed that there were no less than five local contractors, including road builders, that have the licence and qualification to handle major development projects in Sabah.
Hence, he hoped that open tender for development projects in the State would give priority to Sabahan contractors.
“Even if they are not qualified, I hope the government can reconsider joint partnerships between local contractors and other companies to undertake the project.”
Asked if local contractors have the necessary equipment to undertake major development projects, Lui believed that when there was a demand, local contractors would be willing to invest in upgrading their equipment.
“If the project is approved, the contracts can obtain bank loans and invite foreign expertise (to form a joint venture).”