Dealings with underworld Pt4

Case 2 :

There is this job in Ipoh, people's housing project, the government awarded the main contractor Rm25mil and they want ot sub it out for RM19mil. We worked out the math and thinks it is still worth while, subjected that he payment form the client is prompt.

Problem is we got to know about this project through a middle man, or rather a company. The middle company is a state government link company, which initially led us to believe we were getting the job from them. (Yes, state government link company become a subcontracting company, seeking rent for doing nothing) They told us they got the job for RM20mil and are willing to sub it out to us for Rm19mil.

We had meetings after meetings, karaokes after karaokes with the MD of the GLC to get the job. It wasn't until the very last minute we realise we end up the 3rd tier subcon for the job. (Another lesson learnt, always check the background of the company you are dealing with and verify their claims. We had taken for granted in this case by thinking nothing will go wrong with a state GLC.)

By this time Gan has ganged up with one of the labour subcon for us and basically asked us to take them to perform the job. As the labour subcon was doing a decent job, I did not realise the politics and undertable dealings that was going on until it was too late.

We cleared the site and put up the temporary fence and put in the first progress claim. The money was not forthcoming and we were worried.

Oh! Before that did I forget to tell you that we paid RM150k upfront to secure the job? YUP, RM150k.

Anyway, needless to say, we had to slow down the job and make a scene when the govt officials were visiting the site. Gan came up with an idea and asked our subbie to ferry 50 foreign construction workers to the Main contractor's office to make a scene. He told me to act as if I did not know what had happened for my " plausible deniability"! I was out of wits at that time and allowed him to drag me through the mud.

The main con got pissed and we sat down for a showdown. We worked out the sum and demanded compensation. This part is hazy, can't remember what actually happened but we were kicked out of the job, and we did not get the money. I think they ask us to sue them. (later of course I realised that Gan had played his hand again by getting the subcon to strike a deal direct with the main con to continue working there.)

After that we had again many rounds of meetings, threathenings and finally we manage to retrieve the Rm150k plus some claims from the parent company of the state GLC we were dealing with. (The credit goes to my lawyer partner, made me realise this should work as they should, no underworld should be part of a legitimate company)

Reading back I have not give justice to the whole story, the whole story actually spans over a period of 2 years with multiple meetings and negotiations and threats, travelling & karaokes etc. Definitely much more exciting than what I have tried to describe here.