YB Datuk Joseph Sallang Gandum, the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Information, Multimedia & Culture, Culture informed Parliament in his reply as follows:
First phase 8 companies were involved in the supplying of 123,000 units of notebook computers. The 8 companies were appointed by way direct negotiation! The names of the 8 comapnies (names not very clear, will amend later) are as follows: Mutiara S…, Nalius Av …, Acer, Lenovo, Samsung International, Megas …, Hidaya Construction, Mega Trade …, Hydrianate …
The Deputy Minister also said
– no son of the Minister or the officer was involved in these companies;
– the total balance of the USP Fund as at 31-12-2010 was ABOUT RM4.5 billion(when pressed for the current total of the USP as at today, the Deputy Minister was unable to provide and he promised to give me a written reply about it);
– the amount of money given under the USP Fund for each notebook was less than RM1,000 per unit but he copuld not give a definite figure;
– the remaining 200,000 units of notebook have not been finalsied and it will be by way of open tender.
When I asked him why the Audit Committee of MCMC has not met for almost a year? There was no reply from the Deputy Minsiter. there are many other questions which have not been answered. I shall persue it during Committee Stage.
