The Penang Master Builders and Building Materials Dealers Association are crying for help.

It said that giving contracts for small and medium scale government projects to only “specific groups” will drive contractors in Penang out of business.

Its president Finn Choong (son of All-England champion Eddy Choong) said many contractors would be forced to call it quits if project were continuously given to specific groups.

This is not the Association’s first call for attention. They have been making the call at their AGM every year for the past five years.

Their plea is still unattended by the government. The Association has close working rapport with the State government and CM Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Blame it on the government bumiputra policy, there is no job for other contractors.

Next, Penang contractors also have to face competition from out- of- state companies. Even Penang Malay Contractors Association chairman Mohamed Fadzill Hassan has alleged that the local government was awarding contracts to outsiders.

Why is there no more open tender? It would help cut project costs, improve workmanship and encourage healthy competition.

Look at the recent spate of shoddy workmanship, poor maintenance and higher costing in government projects and buildings.

This is only the tip of an iceberg. There must be a total shakeup in the construction industry. As there are billions to be made, crony-linked companies would lobby their political masters to resist any revamp in the management of government projects. Too much is at stake for them.

Contractors are also forced out of business by the ever increasing prices of essential building materials like steel and cement. Some have to abandon their projects and preferred their performance bond be forfeited than to continue at a bigger loss.

The contractors have spoken; it will be good if PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi listen to these truths.