MOF sought open tender process, PMO pushed pre-qualification: trial told

KUALA LUMPUR — The Finance Ministry's original preference for transparent tender procedures clashed with the Prime Minister's Office's directive to use pre-qualification methods for government contracting, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard on Wednesday. A witness testifying in the trial of Muhyiddin Yassin provided details of internal disagreements between the two agencies regarding procurement practices for Bumiputera co-investment initiatives. The testimony sheds light on decision-making processes within the government machinery during the period when Muhyiddin held the office of Prime Minister. The court heard that the Finance Ministry had advocated for open tender processes, which typically allow broader competition and are considered more transparent, whereas the Prime Minister's Office preferred pre-qualification procedures that narrow the field of eligible bidders before formal tendering. The divergence in procurement approaches highlights tensions between different government bodies over the administration of significant public investment schemes. The trial continues as prosecutors build their case against the former premier.