SINGAPORE - Saying he does not condone wrong-doing, National Development
Minister Khaw Boon Wan wanted two questions answered when the Zaobao
report on the NParks' purchase of 26 foldable bikes came out on June 22.
First, why foldable bikes? And second, how was the supplier chosen?
In a blog post today, Mr Khaw said that he received the answers to the two questions on June 30.
While he was satisfied that the decision on the foldable bikes could
be justified,
he was not happy with the procurement outcome.
The 26 Brompton bikes cost $57,200 in total.
He said: "I thought they could have gotten a better deal,
even though
they had adhered to the prevailing Government procurement rules.
Based
on what I had read of the NParks report,
I had no reason to question the
integrity of the officer(s) involved."
Mr Khaw related that for thoroughness, on the same day that he
received the report,
he commissioned an MND Internal Audit Team to work
with NParks
and dig impartially and more thoroughly into the
transaction.
The minister said he wanted to verify if the procurement
was conducted in a 'fit and proper' manner,
as well as if the episode
will yield lessons to improve the overall procurement system.
The MND audit, which was completed on July 20, confirmed that NParks'
reason for the purchase of foldable bikes on staff productivity grounds
was valid, said Mr Khaw.
It also verified that the procurement formally observed and complied with the existing rules.
Mr Khaw said: "However the audit also uncovered certain discrepancies which suggest a possibility of bias."
Earlier reports have stated that the invitation to quote a bid was
published on government procurement portal GeBiz on Jan 25, the third
day of Chinese New Year, with the closing day set on Jan 30. Only one
company, BikeHop, submitted a bid during this period.
The matter was reported to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau
(CPIB) on July 23.
The officer in charge of the deal, assistant
director of the Park Connector Network Mr Bernard Lim,
was suspended the
following day.
"The matter is now in the hands of the CPIB. If there is wrong-doing,
appropriate punishment will be meted out," said Mr Khaw.
"I am mindful how this episode may be affecting the morale of my
officers in NParks.
I think we should be fair and not demoralise and
tarnish the reputation of NParks
as the department has many dedicated
officers who continue to work hard each day
to make Singapore a Garden
City for the well-being of all of us."
PS:
Hope he learned his lesson not to anyhow shot his mouth.
The social media nowadays is more powerful than those elected opposition MPs.
So don't mess with it...especially with so many CSI netizens around.
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