(Kuching, 17th) Sarawak security companies are being excluded and marginalized in their own backyard, with Sarawak security companies obtaining only 63.09 million ringgit, less than 10%, out of a contract worth 720 million ringgit for school security in Sarawak state!
Sarawak Democratic Action Party Chairman and Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen revealed at a press conference today that the Ministry of Education, through the Sarawak Education Department, conducted a tender for school security service contracts from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. In this tender, all schools in Sarawak are divided into 243 zones, each covering several schools.
However, the tender results are shocking, with Sarawak local security companies only getting 20 out of 243 zones or 8.23% of the contract. In the 720 million ringgit security contract, Sarawak security companies only secured 63.09 million ringgit or 8.75%. Over 90% of the contracts and zones were awarded to Peninsular Malaysia security companies.
“In other words, Sarawak local security companies fare worse than outsiders on their own turf, receiving very few contracts and zones. Many experienced local security companies were even completely excluded. This seems very unfair, as these contracts should prioritize local businesses and the people of Sarawak.”
In response, Chong Chieng Jen criticized that the Sarawak Education Department as the implementing agency, the Sarawak Federal Treasury as the tender committee, and the Sarawak government alliance should be fully accountable. After all, the Sarawak government alliance has always touted the slogan of prioritizing Sarawakians, and local tenders and engineering contracts should be awarded to local companies first. But the reality is different!”
“The slogan of prioritizing Sarawakians by the Sarawak Coalition and SUPP seems to be mere rhetoric on this issue, without any actual action or effect.”
What is more frustrating for Sarawak local companies is that Chong Chieng Jen said many indigenous Sarawakians and local companies can only watch or end up as sub-contractors or second-tier subcontractors, which is very unfair to the people and local companies of Sarawak.
On the other hand, Chong Chieng Jen mentioned that foreign security companies must conduct site visits to schools before participating in the bidding. According to Sarawak immigration laws, these foreign companies and their responsible persons need to have work visas and permits to be allowed for assessment. However, he firmly believes that most foreign companies did not obtain these work permits, which clearly violates Sarawak's immigration laws.
In light of this, Chong Chieng Jen called on the Sarawak Immigration Department to immediately investigate and suggested that the government suspend the execution of these contracts, review the bidding process, and at least reserve 50% of the contracts to be allocated to Sarawak local security companies.
“If the government persists, the phenomenon of ‘wealthy state, impoverished people’ in Sarawak will worsen, and the ordinary Sarawak people will be unable to enjoy the state’s wealth, continuing to live in poverty while political elites exploit Sarawak's abundant resources to gain more private benefits and wealth.”