Eight firms face possible MyCC fines for bid rigging in tenders worth RM473mil

Eight firms face possible MyCC fines for bid rigging in tenders worth RM473mil

PETALING JAYA: Eight contractors have been named for allegedly involved in a bid rigging of three public tenders worth around RM473mil.

Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus (pic) also proposed for the eight contractors to be fined for bid rigging of the tenders which involved two tenders from the Public Works Department (JKR) and one from the Drainage and Irrigation Department.

Hishamudin said the three tenders were worth approximately RM473mil in the provision of services for construction works for roads, pavements, bridges and flood mitigation systems.

“The MyCC had on April 16, made a proposed decision against the eight enterprises for infringing Section 4 of the Competition Act 2010 by engaging in the acts of bid rigging in 2019 in respect of two tenders involving JKR and one tender of the Drainage and Irrigation Department.

“The proposed decision has been duly served on all eight enterprises on April 22,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 23).

Hishamudin named the six enterprises which were reportedly involved in all three tenders, namely Dutamesra Bina Sdn Bhd, IDX Multi Resources Sdn Bhd, Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd, Menang Idaman Sdn Bhd, Meranti Budiman Sdn Bhd and Pintas Utama Sdn Bhd.

The commission also revealed that NYL Corporation Sdn Bhd was implicated in both JKR tenders while Kiara Kilat Sdn Bhd was implicated in one of the two JKR tenders.

Hishamudin added that the investigation by MyCC has provisionally found that these enterprises had colluded in bid rigging through information sharing and coordination in the participation of the mentioned tenders.

“It is important to highlight that MyCC’s findings are provisional and it should not be assumed that any enterprise has conclusively infringed the Competition Act 2010 at this stage.

“As required by the Act, the enterprises concerned have also been notified of the proposed penalties,” he added.

Once received the proposed decision, Hishamudin said the companies are accorded the opportunity to submit their respective written representations within 30 days after receiving the proposed decision.

“Thereafter, the enterprises have the additional opportunity to make their respective oral representations before the commission at a later date to be determined.

“MyCC will only issue its final decision after considering representations made by the enterprises as against evidence gathered from the investigation,” it added.