IT WAS meant to be a closed-door session. But nearly three times more contractors came to a briefing on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project that the hotel's ballroom doors could not be closed.
Having advertised the briefing in mainstream newspapers for three days, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) anticipated 250 contractors to turn up on Thursday night.
But much to their surprise, close to 700 came to the Petaling Jaya hotel, some from as far as Sarawak.
Snacks and coffee served by the hotelier finished in 20 minutes.
The line will be integrated with existing KTM Komuter and LRT lines and feeder bus networks with a common ticketing system.
Reporters could not enter the hall but questions emanating from the ballroom touched on whether there would be opportunities for vending machine operators at MRT stations.
There were also offers for SPNB to buy the latest ticketing systems and bathroom facilities that can handle ultra-high traffic flow.
A government official, who declined to be named, attested that SPNB had in the past months received enquiries from custom-fitted furniture manufacturers and energy-efficient lighting suppliers.
Indeed, the construction sector is not just brick and cement.
Pemandu director of Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley NKEA Ahmad Suhaili Idrus told Business Times, "the MRT is the biggest infrastructure project the country is undertaking. Today's overwhelming crowd is reflective of the economic multiplier effects of the MRT project."
He estimates the MRT project to support more than 100 types of businesses, ranging from contractors, construction professionals, building material suppliers to logistics and even telecommunication services.
Malay Contractors Association president Datuk Mokhtar Samad commended SPNB for giving the opportunity for Bumiputera contractors to gain an insight into the intricacies of the project.
Yesterday, Zulkifli Mohd Yusoff, group director of the project management division at SPNB, in a statement, said: "The contractors briefing is to ensure all are given the correct information regarding the type of work involved in the project including underground tunneling, elevated structures, track, system and rolling stock works."
The pre-qualifying stage is to identify contractors who are financially strong, possess the technical expertise and track record to take on the relevant job packages. Only contractors who are pre-qualified will be allowed to bid for the job packages.
He then said tenders will be called once public feedback has been gathered and project details confirmed after the public display period ends on May 14 2011.
As SPNB wrapped up the briefing at 9.30pm, throngs of contractors lined up to pay their parking tickets.
After a while, the machine let out a groan and stopped working. A clearly exasperated contractor turned around to the bemused queue behind him and joked, "well, the supplier of this hotel's parking system definitely cannot pre-qualify for the MRT ticketing package!"
