DPM says highway award to Umno men based on merit (ROUTE MAP)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — The RM2.2 billion Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) highway contract was awarded to only the most “qualified” companies, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

The deputy prime minister denied allegations that the deal was given to companies linked to Umno lawyer Datuk Hafarizam Harun and the wife of former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi (picture) due to political reasons.

“There was a thorough evaluation by all parties... I think it is based on merit based on submissions made (by the companies).

“I do not think we want to deny anybody the opportunity if they feel they can contribute in terms of improving the public transport system; the government has been very open. The evaluation was done on basis of merit,” he told reporters.

The companies in question are Emrail Sdn Bhd and Zabima Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin recently alleged that Zaki and Hafarizam, two key figures in the Perak constitutional crisis of 2009, were awarded the highway contract as a gift for helping Barisan Nasional (BN) topple Pakatan Rakyat in the northern state.

Hafarizam is a director in both firms while Zaki’s wife, Toh Puan Nik Sazlina Mohd Zain, is a director in Emrail.

“It is on the basis of proper evaluation, based on the submissions submitted by the company to the government and agencies concerned like the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).

“It was met with evaluation,” Muhyiddin repeatedly stressed.