SARAWAK has streamlined the registration of contractors and consultants following improvements to the Consultant and Contractor Registration Unit (UPKJ).
Deputy Premier and Second Finance and New Economy Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said under the initiative, more new heads, sub-heads, and categories are offered for contractors’ and consultants’ registration starting Feb 1 next year which is more relevant to the scope of procurement activities of the state ministries, departments and agencies.
“The new classification will be enforced by the government agencies in their procurement activities effective July 1, 2025 and this will create more opportunities for contractors and consultants to participate in various government projects,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech today (Nov 20).
Uggah assured that the Sarawak government will continue to instill good governance in government procurement activities.
“In ensuring project delivery excellence and harmonisation of the business processes for State Funded projects, the new financial limits for projects under Works, Mechanical and Electrical Category have been enforced effective June 1 this year.
“The new financial limits with bigger thresholds are in line with CIDB’S grade and financial limits,” he said.
On the state e-Procurement System, Uggah said in line with the state’s digital economy initiative, Sarawak has embarked on the implementation of e-Procurement system in 2022.
“This system will increase transparency, improve cost efficiency, and reduce the cycle time of the state procurement process,” he said.
He added the development of the system is being benchmarked against e-Procurement best practices.
“The system is divided into three stages: Stage 1 which covers development of the e-Direct Purchase module has been completed. Stage 2 which covers development of e-Quotation with JKR Sarawak being selected as a pilot agency, has been completed and will go live by the end of 2024.
“Meanwhile, Stage 3 which covers development of the e-Tender module is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of next year,” he said.