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Yoursay: Finance Ministry, don’t back down to MMC-Gamuda
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YOURSAY | ‘Unless, that is, MMC-Gamuda comes back with an offer that the gov’t cannot refuse.’

Invite us back to the negotiating table, MMC-Gamuda tells gov't

Quigonbond: I can’t believe MMC-Gamuda is so arrogant to assume their pressure worked and there is an opening for them to take the high ground just because PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the issue will be discussed again.

As far as I’m concerned, political secretary to the finance minister Tony Pua’s rebuttal was devastating. Whatever internal IP (intellectual property) that they have, it probably involves patronage and therefore higher price anyway, so that it is useless to the government.

The MOF (Ministry of Finance) made the right call. Mahathir said he’s not an economist. He should not interfere.

He should trust in his younger lieutenants’ political savvy. After all, didn’t they help him understand the public’s pain points to win GE14?

FellowMalaysian: After some hard-hitting by Pua and his no-nonsense forthrightness in his attack, Gamuda-MMC has turned around now and accepted, acknowledged and recognised the role of the international engineering consulting firm appointed by the ministry as being the arbiter of the dispute.

It’s about time Gamuda-MMC come to their senses as they would be the party at the receiving end of multiple law suits and what-nots if MOF refuses to budge and maintain their stand by calling for a re-tender of the contract.

So, if I may say so, don't be so lan-si (arrogant) and give some due respect to the consultants and accept their findings and recommendations if Gamuda wishes to continue with the rest of the underground works.

Doesn't this show us that our internationally-renowned civil engineering contractor which has successfully completed a multi-billion ringgit MRT project has not quite made the mark yet?

Anonymous #40538199: They should not be afraid of open tender. They already have in-depth knowledge of the project and home ground advantage.

It is time they proved that after all these years of grooming with direct-negotiation jobs or limited competition tendering process, they are now a world-class player.

Hmmmmmmmm: Is this a new international consultant that they are proposing? What happened to the local consultant that the government appointed?

It sounds like MMC-Gamuda is trying to push the blame to the local consultant by painting them as incompetent, inexperienced, etc.

Also, I doubt very much that the government is interested in your intellectual property, etc. They just want to look at your prices and compare them against their consultants and then take it from there in their negotiations with you.

It sounds very much like you are trying to blur the issue by introducing irrelevant issues.

Roger 5201: MMC-Gamuda directors should not have used their 20,000 staff as pawns to politicise the matter when our objective is to help reduce our massive national debts underwritten by the rakyat, which was incurred by an irresponsible free-spending Umno living beyond its means.

Anonymous 428911434555133: Indeed, why must 32 million Malaysians sacrifice for 20,000 workers? You want all of us to pay higher taxes just to finance supernormal profits for your owners and directors?

I hope the government does not back down here, especially if it is planning to raise taxes for everyone. Otherwise, I will seriously have to consider who I vote for in the next GE.

Thana55: Stop whining about the job losses. The responsibility for this predicament is squarely on MMC-Gamuda.

MOF has a responsibility for all Malaysians and the decision was right for the greater good. Unless MMC-Gamuda comes back with an offer that the government cannot refuse, stand your ground.

Clever Voter: It's not fair to push the blame to the government. MMC-Gamuda owes an obligation to its employees, and if it loses the contract, this only means it fails in its endeavour. That's business.

Elsewhere, we have closures of airlines, mines, and even retail shops. There are companies that chose to retrench after failing to secure projects. It's not new.

The uncontested fee is unaffordable. There is no justification even socially. MMC-Gamuda is to be blamed for putting its eggs in one basket.

But as the finance minister said, these people would be hired should the project continues with a more affordable price.

Someone did blame Najib. Most think so, too.

Annonnymous 080: "Nonetheless, we urge all stakeholders especially our staff, subcontractors and suppliers to remain calm, be patient and trust in the wisdom of our prime minister in his impending review process."

Who is Mahathir to review this project again and to give in to the demands of Gamuda? It’s a cabinet decision and Dr M should just stay out of this. No more it’s my way!

Ipoh Pp: The PM has a say but not at the expense of poking the 'knife' into his finance minister. Remember, Mahathir, you are supposed to be a team player now and it’s not like old times.

The cabinet should decide on the next course of action against this 'fattened' cow.

JayWai: I'm glad good sense prevailed in the end. Gamuda should realise that the government is not negotiating for its own benefit, whether for Mahathir or Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. It's really for the country.

It would also not be to the benefit of Malaysia to allow a foreign company to get the tender. Perhaps, MMC-Gamuda should take a bigger cut in your profit for this job for the sake of your 20,000 employees and for the country.

Abasir: With the many billions it has earned over the years, Gamuda should simply go ahead and complete the job and hand it to the people of Malaysia as a shining example of social responsibility.

No jobs will be lost, the government will be spared the expense and Gamuda can bask in its glory.


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