Paying more than they should
PETALING JAYA: Twenty “branded”
wall clocks were bought by the Department of Broadcasting for several
Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) branches for RM3,810 each – about 38
times over the estimated price of RM100 for each.
The Auditor-General’s Report 2012 also revealed that three A4 size scanners were bought for RM14,670 a unit, more than 70 times the estimated price of RM200 each.
The devices were among miscellaneous items bought by the department for studio equipment at RTM offices in Kota Baru, Bintulu and Keningau in 2009.
While the total bill charged by the contractor was cheaper than the estimated cost, the A-G found that the prices for certain items were exorbitant.
“The audit found that the total contract was priced at RM9.2915mil, lower than the department’s estimated cost of RM9.4689mil.
“However, the prices of certain items were between 15.7% and 7.235% higher than the department’s estimated cost for each unit.
“The procurement of such items was done via open tender but certain items were priced at unreasonably high costs,” the report said.
In its reply to the A-G, the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry said the estimated prices were based on comparisons with previous RTM contracts and updated according to current market prices.
“The ministry’s board of procurements awarded contractors which provided the best value for money and obtained the best technical evaluation grades,” the ministry said.
It said the board also took the initiative to compare the prices of items offered by companies online before making its decision.
The Star Online
Wednesday October 2, 2013.
The Auditor-General’s Report 2012 also revealed that three A4 size scanners were bought for RM14,670 a unit, more than 70 times the estimated price of RM200 each.
The devices were among miscellaneous items bought by the department for studio equipment at RTM offices in Kota Baru, Bintulu and Keningau in 2009.
While the total bill charged by the contractor was cheaper than the estimated cost, the A-G found that the prices for certain items were exorbitant.
“The audit found that the total contract was priced at RM9.2915mil, lower than the department’s estimated cost of RM9.4689mil.
“However, the prices of certain items were between 15.7% and 7.235% higher than the department’s estimated cost for each unit.
“The procurement of such items was done via open tender but certain items were priced at unreasonably high costs,” the report said.
In its reply to the A-G, the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry said the estimated prices were based on comparisons with previous RTM contracts and updated according to current market prices.
“The ministry’s board of procurements awarded contractors which provided the best value for money and obtained the best technical evaluation grades,” the ministry said.
It said the board also took the initiative to compare the prices of items offered by companies online before making its decision.
The Star Online
Wednesday October 2, 2013.
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