MYCC, JWP COLLABORATE TO COMBAT BID-RIGGING CARTELS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) and the Federal Territories Department (JWP) have established a strategic partnership to strengthen the government’s agenda in combating anti-competitive practices, specifically bid-rigging cartels.

The commitment was formalised through the signing of a Letter of Understanding (LoU) between MyCC, an agency under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and JWP, which is under the Prime Minister’s Department.

The LoU was signed by JWP director-general Datuk Seri Noridah Abdul Rahim and MyCC chairman Tan Sri Idrus Harun, witnessed by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh here today.

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Hannah said the LoU covers strategic cooperation in several key areas, including advisory services, preliminary assessment reports on suspected bid-rigging in procurement, and periodic training for procurement officers.

"This collaboration involves six JWP agencies, namely Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Putrajaya Corporation (PPj), Labuan Corporation (LC), the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PPTGWPKL), Kampong Bharu Development Corporation (PKB), and the Federal Territories Sports Council," she told a press conference after the ceremony.

She said JWP takes the issue of bid-rigging cartels in government procurement seriously and is committed to channelling information to MyCC should there be any indicators of anti-competitive behaviour.

Meanwhile, Armizan said MyCC is currently investigating more than 500 companies for various competition law infringements, including bid-rigging.

"From 2022 to 2025, four final decisions have been made on actions taken. This includes a case last year involving a tender at Putrajaya Corporation," he said.

Armizan expressed confidence that the special unit established to combat bid-rigging, supported by an RM5 million allocation this year, would enhance agility in dismantling cartels and curbing practices that undermine public spending efficiency.

He added that since the initiative began last September, MyCC has signed four other LoUs with the Ministry of Finance, Health Ministry, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.

-- BERNAMA