KUCHING: The Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI) has called on the Sarawak government to include measures in the upcoming state budget to support the participation of Dayak Orang Ulu companies in infrastructure projects within their own communities
OUCCI Secretary General Osart Jallong said such a move would be in line with the state government’s objectives in the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 on achieving inclusivity and prosperity for all.
Moreover, he added, this is to ensure the Dayak Orang Ulu companies are put on a footing to enable them to compete from the same starting line with the other bidders.
“Without the government’s intervention, they will perpetually compete unevenly from behind the starting line and will never win,” he said when contacted by Sarawak Tribune.
In public tenders, he pointed out that this can be achieved by the government requiring big and experienced contractors to partner with Dayak Orang Ulu companies so that the latter have equal rights and obligations and are not subjugated to be the other party as in a main contractor-subcontractor relationship.
This, he said, would enable these companies to gain the necessary experience to qualify for projects on their own merit in the future.
Osart stated that technical and commercial criteria in both private and public tenders often require high levels of experience, capital and many specialised equipment, materials and requirements.
“Often, the native companies are not able to meet one or more of these requirements. The overall impact is, only those large companies will continue to qualify and secure these contracts.
“With such criteria being continually used, a monopolistic situation is created. The unqualified companies will eventually wind up for not meeting the requirements.
“Government intervention is required to ensure administrative procedures on procurement give effect to its affirmative policies relating to bumiputra/native or local companies,” he said.
Other than that, he suggested the establishment of a dedicated fund within the budget to support Dayak and Orang Ulu companies with the necessary capital and equipment to meet tender requirements.
“Such a fund could provide these companies with the resources needed to compete fairly and thrive in industry,” he said.
