Latest news with #Petra
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
A-G: Go back to open tender system
PETALING JAYA: The Auditor-General has flagged the government's selective pre-qualification procurement method (Pre-Q) after companies that did not fit the bill and failed to comply with the process still qualified to the next round of the tender process. The Auditor-General has also recommended the Pre-Qualified Selective Procurement method be discontinued and for the government to revert to the open tender system. The audit findings involved projects from three ministries: Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), Works, and the Rural and Regional Development. According to the Auditor-General Report Series 2/2025, the Pre-Q Procurement mechanism was introduced by the Finance Ministry for project tenders for 2023 and 2024. As for the process, companies that pass the first-stage screening process will be invited to proceed with the open tender process at the second stage. This method is intended to ensure that selected companies are competitive and capable. The audit found potential for manipulation and a lack of transparency in the selection process. Some companies that didn't meet the first-stage evaluation criteria, or weren't even invited, were still selected and evaluated in the second stage. Additionally, the procurement process often exceeded its stipulated duration. For Petra, 154 companies were invited to bid for 25 projects. Six companies even passed the first stage without submitting required documents, with three of them later awarded Letters of Acceptance (LOA) for flood mitigation projects in Penang, Pahang and Selangor totalling over RM811mil. For the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, no list of projects was provided during the first stage of invitation. 'A total of 721 companies participated in the invitation, and 485 companies (67.3%) were approved and certified by the ministry's Procurement Board between Aug 7 and Oct 20, 2023, for the first stage invitation,' the A-G report said. The audit found that seven companies that did not have the financial capacity were invited to participate in the second round, up to four times. One of these companies was awarded the LOA for a RM40.1mil road upgrade works in Tumpat, Kelantan. The Works Ministry, however, showed full compliance in its first-stage evaluation. Both the ministry and the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) adhered to the Finance Ministry's directives, with 113 companies meeting criteria and passing the first stage. The audit noted that the Petra and the Rural and Regional Development ministries did not comply with the evaluation criteria stipulated by the Finance Ministry. 'Furthermore, this also indicates a lack of transparency and errors in the evaluation of companies at the first stage, which subsequently led to ineligible companies being awarded LOA,' it said. In its response, Petra said the list of companies for participation in the Pre-Qualification stage was obtained through the Construction Industry Development Board's (CIDB) Construction Industry Management System (CIMS), based on pre-determined criteria and records of companies that had participated in similar Open Pre-Qualification Tenders. The Works Ministry, meanwhile, said the Sabah JKR did not have an up-to-date database for the procurement for the 15 work packages under the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah Phase 1B Project. 'The existing database pertained to the Pre-Qualification Tender for the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah Phase 1A Project, which was compiled in 2021. 'However, the data was no longer relevant as the current Pre-Qualification Tender was open to companies from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia,' said the Works Ministry. As a proactive measure for future implementation of fast-tracked mega projects, the Works Ministry plans to use the CIDB database as a reference and for checks and balances to ensure the accuracy and currency of company information and to uphold data integrity, the ministry added. The Rural and Regional Ministry admitted the absence of a complete register of contractors whose previous bids were approved by the Finance Ministry, which would be used as a basis for invitation. The ministry couldn't determine the validity of the information in the registry. The Finance Ministry, on the other hand, stated its commitment to improving the tender process by coming up with a tender guideline for ministries, ensuring that the Electronic Government Procurement Application is used to increase efficiency and a clearer framework for decision-making in the award of projects. The A-G recommended strategic preliminary screening, proper specification of project types (specific and not complex), clear and transparent Pre-Qualification criteria with maximum timeframes, and the formation of an integrated company database.
Jordan News
2 days ago
- Business
- Jordan News
Civil Status Department Issues 100,000 Digital Certificates Since May - Jordan News
The Director General of the Civil Status and Passports Department, Eng. Ghaith Ghazi Al-Tayyib, announced that the digital certificates service, launched on May 1 via the 'Sanad' application, has witnessed a significant turnout from citizens both inside and outside the Kingdom. To date, 100,000 digital certificates have been issued for previously registered vital events. اضافة اعلان Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Monday, Al-Tayyib explained that the service enables citizens to issue digital certificates for previously recorded vital events such as birth, marriage, divorce, death, as well as individual and family status records. The certificates are issued in PDF format and available in both Arabic and English. He emphasized that obtaining a certificate is done through the Sanad app by selecting the Civil Status and Passports Department services, followed by the digital certificates service. The issued certificates include a QR code allowing concerned parties to verify their authenticity immediately. Al-Tayyib noted that the launch of this service aligns with the Kingdom's digital transformation efforts and aims to ease access for citizens, whether within Jordan or abroad. The service is available anytime and from anywhere, including Fridays and official holidays, thus reducing pressure on Jordanian embassies and minimizing congestion within the department. He added that the digital certificates are free of additional charges, are recognized by all public and private entities, and represent a major step forward in the government's strategy to enhance and streamline its services.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
A-G calls for overhaul of govt's Pre-Qualification procurement process
PETALING JAYA: The Auditor-General has flagged concerns over the government's selective Pre-Qualification (Pre-Q) procurement method, citing instances where companies that did not meet criteria advanced in the tender process. The Auditor-General has recommended scrapping the Pre-Q method in favour of reverting to the open tender system. The audit findings involved projects from three ministries: Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), Works, and Rural and Regional Development. According to the Auditor-General's report Series 2/2025, the Pre-Q mechanism was introduced by the Finance Ministry for project tenders in 2023 and 2024. Under the Pre-Q process, companies that pass the initial screening are invited to participate in the open tender process at the second stage. This method aims to ensure participating companies are competitive and capable. "Based on audit findings, there is potential for manipulation and a lack of transparency in the selection process. Some companies that did not meet evaluation criteria in the first stage were still selected and evaluated in the second stage. "Additionally, the procurement process exceeded the stipulated duration," the report stated. In Petra, 154 companies were invited to bid for 25 projects, with six companies passing the first stage without submitting required documents. Three were awarded Letters of Acceptance (LOA) for flood mitigation projects worth over RM811mil in Penang, Pahang, and Selangor. For the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, no project list was provided during the first stage. Of the 721 companies that participated, 485 (67.3%) were approved by the KKDW Procurement Board between Aug 7 and Oct 2, 2023. The audit found that seven companies lacking financial capacity were invited to participate in the second round up to four times, with one company awarded a RM40.1 million road upgrade project in Tumpat, Kelantan. The Works Ministry and Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) fully complied with the Finance Ministry's directive, with 113 companies meeting criteria passing the first stage. However, Petra and the Rural and Regional Development ministries did not comply with evaluation criteria, leading to ineligible companies being awarded LOAs. Petra acknowledged that the list for Pre-Qualification was obtained through the Construction Industry Development Board's (CIDB) system. The Works Ministry noted an outdated database for the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah Phase 1B Project procurement, and plans to use the CIDB database for future projects to ensure data accuracy. The Rural and Regional Development Ministry admitted the absence of a complete contractor register approved by the Finance Ministry. The Finance Ministry committed to improving the tender process with guidelines for ministries, using the Electronic Government Procurement Application (eGPA) to enhance efficiency and decision-making. The Auditor-General recommended strategic preliminary screening, specific project types, clear Pre-Qualification criteria, maximum timeframes, and an integrated company database to improve transparency and efficiency.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Jordanian Armed Forces down 310 drug-laden drones over 7 months
LONDON: The Jordanian Armed Forces have intercepted 310 drug-carrying drones and thwarted multiple smuggling attempts over the past 197 days, according to military data, as they work to protect national security. From January to July 16, the armed forces intercepted an average of 51 drones each month, nearly two per day, all carrying narcotics destined for Jordanian territory, according to an investigative report by the Jordan News Agency, or Petra. The Jordanian military seized over 14.1 million narcotic pills, 92.1 kg of illegal drugs, and more than 10,600 slabs of hashish over the past six months, with a street value amounting to tens of millions of US dollars. Petra reported 69 smuggling attempts and infiltration operations by traffickers, who used weapons and unconventional methods to smuggle drugs, including toy-like balloons with remote navigation. However, these were detected and downed by the armed forces. One balloon was found carrying crystal meth. In another incident, border personnel tracked a projectile from Syrian territory, which was found to be packed with narcotics, including 500 grams of crystal meth, reflecting the complex threats facing Jordan.
Jordan News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Jordan News
Evening Mobile Licensing Service in Bani Kinana Tomorrow - Jordan News
Evening Mobile Licensing Service in Bani Kinana Tomorrow The Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Department will continue offering its evening mobile licensing and technical inspection services tomorrow, Sunday, in Bani Kinana District, as part of the innovative initiative 'We Reach You' (Bnowsalk). اضافة اعلان According to the published schedule, the mobile licensing vehicle will be stationed behind the Bani Kinana Police Station from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, providing all licensing services for drivers and their vehicles. This service aims to ease the process for citizens, offering on-the-spot issuance and renewal of driver's licenses and vehicle registrations, along with immediate payment and receipt of fees. (Petra)
