TWO ENTERPRISES FACE POSSIBLE PENALTIES OVER ALLEGED HIGHWAY TENDER BID RIGGING CARTEL - MYCC

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has issued a Proposed Decision against two enterprises for their alleged involvement in a bid rigging cartel of the Central Spine Road (CSR) Construction Tender issued by the Public Works Department.

MyCC Chairman Tan Sri Idrus Harun stated that the enterprises were provisionally found to have infringed Section 4 of the Competition Act 2010 [Act 712] in relation to a procurement tender valued at RM285 million.

“Through investigations by MyCC, it was found that the enterprises agreed to engage in the coordinated information-sharing and collusion in the preparation and submission of their bids.

“MyCC finds that such agreement had the object of significantly preventing, restricting or distorting competition in relation to the public procurement relating to the CSR tender,” he said in a statement today.

He emphasised that at this stage, the proposed decision is provisional and should not be taken as a conclusive finding that the enterprises have infringed Act 712.

Idrus said the enterprises named in the Proposed Decision were notified of the proposed penalties and directions today.

“They are given the opportunity to submit their written representations within 30 days upon receiving the Proposed Decision as well as present their oral representations before the Commission on a date to be determined later,” he added.

According to Idris, MyCC will issue its Final Decision only after considering the representations made by the enterprises together with the evidence obtained during the investigation.

MyCC is an independent body under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) responsible for enforcing the Competition Act 2010.

-- BERNAMA