A TOTAL of 27 contracts worth RM13 million were awarded to Bumiputera contractors during a balloting session organised by Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) on 11 May 2015.

These contracts were awarded to Bumiputera contractors from Grades G1 to G4 by various Work Package Contractors handling the construction of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line.

The successful contractors were selected from a pool of 257 contractors present at the balloting session. They had been shortlisted earlier.

Contractors under Grade G1 are eligible for contracts up to the value of RM200,000, while those in Grade G2 are eligible for contracts between RM200,001 and RM500,000. Grade G3 contractors are eligible for contracts between RM500,001 and RM1 million while those in Grade G4 are eligible for contracts between RM1,000,001 and RM3 million.

The grades are determined by the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia (CIDB).

This Bumiputera Contractors’ balloting session was the fourth to be held for the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line, and the first under current MRT Corp Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Shahril Mokhtar.

During his speech at the balloting session, Shahril said he was happy that the level of Bumiputera participation in the MRT Project was beyond the target set by the Government.

“I am happy to say that as of now, the MRT Project has awarded 48% of the total value of contracts to Bumiputera contractors. This is beyond the target of 43% set by the Government,” he said.

He said the MRT Project’s Bumiputera Agenda was being implemented smoothly and besides large Bumiputera construction companies, smaller contractors had benefitted from the programme.

He pointed out that many Bumiputera contractors who had earlier been awarded contracts based on the Bumiputera Agenda platform have now managed to be awarded new contracts from their Work Package Contractors directly.

“This is proof that participation in the MRT Project’s Bumiputera Agenda opens doors to further opportunities in the future,” he said.