Gapensi questions tender process

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Builders Association (Gapensi) has revealed what it calls irregularities in the tender process for the repair and cleaning of waterways in the Tanjung Priok harbor.

The chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the association, Daniel Hutapea, said on Tuesday that two association members were refused entry in the bid for the project worth less than Rp 500 million, Antara reported.

"We were told that our members PT Alfa Kasih and PT Putera Gunung Mandiri had been prohibited from joining the bidding as they had not yet been screened,"

Hutapea said Presidential Decree No. 16/1994 on the implementation of tender processing does not require contractors to pass the special screening (Litsus) conducted by the port authority (Perum Pelabuhan Indonesia II) to participate in tenders.

The invitation to bid was announced in the Jakarta-based daily Jayakarta on May 23, 1996.

He said he had no idea why the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and related associations, such as Gapensi, are not informed about any government projects.

On a related development, spokesman for Perum Pelabuhan II, Henry, denied any irregularities took place in the tender of the waterways repair.

He confirmed there was a requirement for special screening, but said that it was the ministry's policy to know the credibility of contractors.

"We have learned that many contractors applying for jobs do not have clear addresses. Therefore, special screening is a prerequisite," Henry said, adding that Hutapea had been informed about the developments. (sur)