No plans for independent mechanism to vet major sports projects

KUALA LUMPUR: The youth and sports ministry has no plans to establish a new independent review mechanism to vet major sports infrastructure projects involving public funds, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Minister Dr Taufiq Johari said existing government procurement and project implementation processes are already governed by circulars, financial procedures, procurement regulations and guidelines to ensure that public spending is done in a transparent, orderly and accountable manner.

He said the existing mechanism covers the planning process, approvals, procurement evaluation, contractor appointments, contract management, payment verification and project implementation monitoring.

“As for the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM), procurement and financial management are also subject to internal controls through its management, board of directors, internal audit and integrity unit.

“PSM’s financial statements are also audited by the auditor-general in accordance with the relevant laws,” Taufiq said in a parliamentary reply.

He added that PSM’s annual reports are prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia Act 2010 and presented to the Cabinet before being tabled in Parliament.

Taufiq said PSM is also bound by the provisions of the Act, as well as government procurement and financial procedures, in carrying out its functions and responsibilities.

He was responding to Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), who asked whether the government plans to establish an independent review mechanism for sports infrastructure projects involving public funds, citing as a reference ongoing procurement and maintenance issues involving the Bukit Jalil National Stadium pitch.

The opposition MP said such a mechanism would help ensure transparency, accountability and stakeholder confidence in the management of PSM’s finances.

The procurement issue involving the national stadium drew widespread attention after FMT reported that the tender board had deviated from the technical evaluation and awarded a contract for two new athletics tracks to the second-ranked bidder.

The RM15 million-plus project involves replacing the running tracks at the National Stadium and the National Sports Council’s mini stadium ahead of the 2027 SEA Games.

FMT reported that the evaluation committee had given the highest score to a bid proposing the Italian-made Mondo system, while another bidder offering China’s JRace system scored over 13 points lower.

However, the tender board awarded the contract to the JRace proposal.

The decision sparked debate within Malaysia’s athletics community, with athletes, coaches and officials questioning the procurement process and asking why the highest-ranked bidder was not awarded the contract.

On the procurement issue, Taufiq said the ministry would continue to ensure that all spending complies with financial regulations, approved scopes of work and the principle of delivering the best value to the government.

He said that any complaints, audit findings, or information involving non-compliance or abuse of power could be referred to the relevant authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, for investigation and appropriate action.