The minister, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, said the three factors were important to ensure tenders were given to eligible contractors and the project was completed on time without experiencing any loss.

He was commenting on a media report that said the awarding of tenders for government projects should be conducted in a transparent manner.

He said the ministry had been awarding contracts by open tender rather than by direct negotiation. “My ministry conducts mostly open tenders except in specialist work…and if we can reduce cost, we will have limited tenders.

“Sometimes, open tender gives problems…when the tender price is too low, the project could not be completed within the stipulated time or not completed at all,” he told reporters after attending a convention here today.

He said his ministry had to ensure no leakages or that the project only benefitted one side.

“I told the ministry or officers at all agencies to go to the source (manufacturer) because it is cheaper…if we give the contract to the second, third or even fourth party, the prices would be higher and worse, sometimes the party that gets the job done never gets paid,” he said.