Rp 1.2b project without tender

PURWOREJO, Central Java: Contractors plan to file a complaint with Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto over the local government's award of a Rp 1.2 billion (US$530,269) railway project without tender.

The construction of the 12 kilometers of railway tracks which have been disused for more than 15 years has reportedly been given to a contractor which has a good relationship with the chief of the local branch of the state railway company Perumka, Singgih Abadi.

The contractors said that the local government has often awarded similar projects worth more than Rp 3 billion to the same company without tender as required by law.

When confronted with the contractors' claim, Singgih said: "I am only continuing my predecessors' policy." (wah/imn)