Jana Wibawa: KCJ Engineering Failed Initial Technical Evaluation Before PMO Re-Assessment Request

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — A Finance Ministry (MoF) official told the High Court today that contractor KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd initially failed the technical assessment stage for a Jana Wibawa Programme project due to past performance issues, before being re-evaluated and subsequently recommended following a request from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Datin Rosni Mohd Yusoff, former secretary of the Government Investment Companies Division at MoF, testified that KCJ Engineering had passed the first and second stages of evaluation but failed the third stage, which specifically assessed technical capability.

Speaking as the 25th prosecution witness in the corruption trial of former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Rosni explained that the Contractor Evaluation Committee evaluated candidate companies across three distinct stages: mandatory requirements (stage one), financial capability (stage two), and technical capability (stage three).

Initial Failure and PMO Intervention

Rosni, who also served as chairman of the Jana Wibawa Contractor Evaluation Committee, testified that the decision classifying KCJ Engineering as having failed the third-stage evaluation was finalized on Dec 15, 2020. The failure stemmed from the company’s involvement in a troubled project as well as unsatisfactory performance on its ongoing projects.

The initial evaluation had followed a proposal by Muhyiddin, who was serving as Prime Minister at the time, for the company’s appointment. Rosni noted that the committee’s internal decision was not disclosed to outside parties.

However, the ministry subsequently received an official letter from the PMO requesting a re-evaluation of KCJ Engineering’s application.

Questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noralis Mat on what would have occurred had the PMO not submitted the letter, Rosni confirmed that under standard operating procedures, the application process would have stopped immediately upon the company’s failure.

Re-Evaluation and Recommendation

Following the PMO’s request, the Contractor Evaluation Committee convened again on Feb 26, 2021, to re-assess the firm.

Rosni confirmed that during the February meeting, the committee determined that KCJ Engineering met all necessary criteria across all three evaluation stages. Minutes from the meeting recorded that the committee found the company to have passed the criteria and recommended it for project implementation via direct negotiation with the Finance Minister.

The engineering and construction company had applied to build a new road connecting Felda Bukit Jalor to Gemas in Negeri Sembilan. Rosni added that an approval memorandum was subsequently prepared to formalize the recommendation.

Her testimony aligns with earlier evidence presented by former Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who previously testified that KCJ Engineering was among 54 companies submitted by Muhyiddin in a letter dated Nov 13, 2020, for Jana Wibawa projects through direct negotiation.

Financial Ties and Prosecution Charges

In earlier court proceedings, Maybank Shah Alam branch operations officer Chang Hui Chin, 50, testified that KCJ Engineering made four deposit transactions totaling RM800,000 into Bersatu’s bank account on Sept 1, 2022.

Muhyiddin, 79, is facing four charges of abusing his position as Prime Minister and Bersatu president to solicit RM225.3 million in bribes for the political party in relation to the Jana Wibawa Programme. He also faces three counts of money laundering involving RM200 million.

The charges against the Perikatan Nasional chairman are framed under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).

The trial before High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin continues tomorrow.

–NMT