Read Lucky Tan's views here.
My own view is that the Government's purchasing procedure should be updated to apply the following principles:
My own view is that the Government's purchasing procedure should be updated to apply the following principles:
- Common sense
- Accountability
- Trust
We can still have purchases through GEBiz, but it should be made easy for potential suppliers to be alerted and to submit a quote. There is no need to pre-register for approval to use GEBiz. By all means, ask the supplier to register the essential particulars after their quote has been accepted.
The selection should be based partly on common sense (i.e. judgement) and accountability. We have to learn to trust people to make judgement, after paying them top salaries.
Some suppliers have told me that it is frustrating to go through a lot of hassle to register in GEBiz, to submit many quotations and not get any business. They gave up.
5 comments:
I have never underestimate their lack of common sense. I never will.
Meanwhile, I would advise them to use eBay.
Under the disquiet about the purchase of Brompton Bikes reflects the way our Authorities are managing our economy under a one Party system, akin to the former USSR Communist Govt's way.
Why did the USSR collapse under an absolute, controlled economy. The Russian Communist Govt spent money without need going through Parliament Approval, unlike countries like US, and economic mismanagement was the main reason that broke up the USSR Giant.
Now compare USSR to Singapore. Dun this hint the same way:
1. Spent 1b on reconstructing the Bishan River.
2. Spent 1b on constructing an artificial Gardens by the Bay.
3. Spent $2,200 x Nos on designer bikes for N Parks employees to use.
4. Spent expensive X$ to buy designer chairs for a University.
5.Pledge US$4B loans to IMF, without going for Parliament Approval.
6. Spent a bomb on having the Grand Priz with no real economic benefits to the local economy.
7. Sticking to an antiquated system in the Civil Service, leaving loopholes for staff to milk it by siphoning funds out.
8. With the 2 SWFs firmly in control, the Govt dun have to account for the botched investments made overseas, thereby losing billions and billions of taxpayers blood money with citizens lips zipped up with no voice whatsoever.
9. Etc., etc., etc.
Now, coupled with the Ka Ki Lang President and a seemingly compliant Judiciary, if this dun sound like economic mismanagement, then dun know what is.
So folks, KJ's fears about the way the IMF loan's case is managed, is not about a man's obsession about finding fault politically, the fears are for real, we citizens have to Get Real, for sake of Singapore's future, for the younger Gen's future.
Dear Parka
Govt procurement procedures does not allow them to use eBay.
I'm willing to bet you.
Nobody in government knows how to change procurement procedures to include;
a. use of eBay
b. use of common sense
c. trust (They don't even trust you with your own CPF money, so please ....)
So what is the conclusion after all the discussion on tv as well as blog?
i) NP went ahead and close the deal. Also raising the possibility of a government pulling another ridiculus overprice purchase.
or ii) NP or authority came out to apologise and assure public they will be more careful next time.
or iii) cancel bikes and re-tender again with a cap.
If no update or conclusion is offered by NP, then the public can assume it is (i) i.e. public outcry & feedback is a total waste of time and effort as NP or Govt Agency has already decided and no turning back, apology or reviewing the current policies. This also means people like me will conclude that Govt agencies are not cost conscious and spent money irresponsibily while their senior civil servants are paid exceedingly well. So should I vote for them during the next round? This is a -ve for Govt unless they do a better PR on this. Maybe they are just too big to change....
It is correct for Minister Khaw to called for a investigation see The New Paper 25 July "$57,000 bike tender goes downhill"
It is also important for the authority to have a proper closure and not sweep under the carpet afte the above report on national media. There are unanswered questions which the public should be updated:-
i) What happen to the $57,000 for 26 Brompton foldable bikes, which was purchased not from the authorised distributor Diginexx?
ii) Why only suspend the Npark Officer? Whoever approved the purchase should be given a warning letter e.g. the supervisor-in-charge should question "26 folder bikes = $57,000" decision. Since the bill is huge, I suspect another senior officer signature e.g. Director may be needed. He should also question the correctness of this purchase especially when using taxpayers money. So, it is not correct to only reprimand the purchasing officer. Whoever signed the cheque or approve this purchase should also bear part of the blame. The responsiblitly of a person who sign the cheque must know what he is signing, else why this different level of approval?
Post a Comment