KUCHING: The position taken by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya on the need for civil servants and government-linked company (GLC) officers to stop the ‘teh tarik’ culture with tender applicants may be seen as too strict by some, but merits a serious look.
Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who said this, agreed that those involved in the issuance of tenders should not socialise with the applicants even after office hours.
“It may be ‘teh tarik’, but it can lead to other things,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
He was responding to Latheefa’s remarks on Monday that corrupt practice prevention measures like not going out for a drink with interested parties, were crucial in ensuring that the process of integrity was alive and not merely a mantra.
The MACC chief commissioner said in the tender application process, there were officers who had a tendency to go out to meet potential tender applicants outside the office and outside of office hours for a drink and to conduct deals.
Talib believed that there was always a risk when those dealing with the issuance of tenders got close to bidders, saying that such ‘teh tarik’ sessions could result in gifts being offered and accepted.
“It might not be the case all the time. The so-called ‘teh tarik’ might be innocent. But the fraternisation that goes with the ‘teh tarik’ session can lead to other things.
“Perhaps while the bidding process is ongoing, those officials who deal with the bids should refrain from fraternising with the bidders. It looks cleaner that way,” he said.
Talib said MACC in the past had issued circulars pertaining to gifts or hampers, and that Latheefa’s remarks should be seen in this light.
“We have seen how too close a fraternisation affected appointments in the judiciary. It stems from being too close. Fraternisation facilitated outside interference in the promotion of judges, at senior level. This was serious.
“Similarly, the Gopi case investigation and action did not go far, as a number of police officers were too close to the crime boss. Fraternisation hampered action,” he said, referring to the case in Melaka in 2017 involving Gopinathan Krishnan, who was involved in a ring that bribed police in the state to close one eye and protect vice activities there.
Gopinathan was apparently known to the then-Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar. The case is still being investigated by the MACC.
“Whether it is in the form of ‘teh tarik’, dinners, parties, sponsoring office functions and whatever have you, heads of departments must be vigilant.
“The MACC chief is stating something, if we care to be objective,” said Talib.