Denis Lasić has risen within the ranks of HDZ as a specialist for high positions rich in state funds, with his main challenges being the distribution and management of money from all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After previously holding the position of Prime Minister of the Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and Federal Minister of Transport and Communications, he took over the management of the Public Company Autoceste FBiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina Highways) in May of this year.
One of the first moves by the new director of this public enterprise was the procurement of several vehicles, with the public procurement being divided into two lots. The first lot involves the purchase of four vehicles worth 400 thousand KM excluding VAT, and the second lot signifies the purchase of four vehicles worth 190 thousand KM excluding VAT. Autoceste provided limited information in the announcement of the public procurement, but our portal has obtained the complete tender documentation containing all the details. What they mentioned in the procurement announcement is the fact that the contract will be awarded to the lowest bidder, as well as the usual contentious fact that the vehicles should be delivered to them within 90 days.
What Vehicles Are Arriving at JP Autoceste?
As specified in the tender documentation, all vehicles in the first LOT must be from the 2023 model year, and they must have an all-wheel drive. The desired power for all vehicles is 145 kW, which is roughly equivalent to 194 horsepower. Additionally, all vehicles must be diesel-powered with automatic transmission and comply with the EURO 6 emissions standard.
Autoceste has also outlined some desired features for the vehicles. In the first LOT, it is noted that the vehicles should have selectable driving profiles, a multifunctional leather steering wheel, a Bluetooth interface for mobile phones, heated seats, and a black interior roof lining.
"The algorithm of the PratimoTendere portal, based on available information in this stage of the process, has identified three risks related to this procurement. First and foremost, the procurement process was initiated almost 3 months later than the approximate date planned in the strategic documents, for reasons unknown to us. Furthermore, as is the case with all other official vehicle procurements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the technical specification for this one is highly likely tailored for specific vehicle models, for which typically only one bidder will submit an offer.
Moreover, regarding the division into lots, passenger and commercial motor vehicles have been separated, which is good. However, considering that within LOT 1, the contracting entity is procuring four different models of passenger vehicles, a significant contribution to transparency and competition among bidders would be achieved if this LOT were divided into four separate lots, one for each required model. Given the delivery deadline of 90 days and considering the market situation, there is no doubt that the requested vehicles are already available in the inventory of the bidder to whom the job is designated. Lastly, the third recognized risk is the subsequent amendment of the tender documentation, which in this case represents a formality, but nonetheless carries a certain level of risk," stated Slobodan Golubović, editor of the PratimoTendere portal, in an interview with hercegovina.info.
It seems that Lasić will continue the practice of his predecessors Terzić and Voloder when it comes to (not)transparent procurements in the company that many would wish to be in at this moment. For years, the Autoceste FBiH has been criticized for this form of public money spending, and the most controversy was stirred by the procurement of new Dusters worth over 400 thousand KM at a time when, under the responsibility of those in charge for 6 years, the company only managed to build a total of 11 kilometres of new highway."
The former math professor became more widely known to the public after our coverage of his hacienda near Mostar (Polog). His party colleagues were particularly intrigued by his Mercedes GLE 5.3 AMG, which was estimated to be worth 250 thousand KM at the time. It's still unclear who benefited more from the transfers: Lasić on the party list and his appointments to powerful state positions, or Lionel Messi with his move to the American MLS where he represents Inter Miami. Nevertheless, the Mercedes was a common denominator between them for a while.
Mercedes vehicles can still be seen in Herzegovina, but he is no longer behind the wheel.
As hercegovina.info reports, the information about his fleet of vehicles didn't sit well with the party. The former Minister of Transport had to part ways with his prized possession, which has had a new owner for over a year now.
Lasić has long been known as a lover of expensive cars, and he faced scrutiny 9 years ago when he was 'punished' by the party and was not among the 450 party candidates for the October elections. Previously, he had purchased two expensive Audi A8 cars at the expense of taxpayers, one for himself and one for the head of his office. Media reports at the time indicated that the combined value of these two cars was around 300 thousand KM.
His party colleagues are also unsure about the reasons for his increased trust in the party's leadership. However, he seems to have proven himself as a useful member, as his tenure has been relatively smooth. The party likely realized that it would be challenging to find someone among the younger ranks who would willingly compromise themselves, and they probably recognized the value of having him on board.
Employees at Autoceste FBiH could experience comfort under the leadership of the new director.
In addition to the vehicles for which Lasić will initially spend over 600 thousand KM, a tender has been announced in which Autoceste is seeking an agency to mediate the purchase of airline tickets for them, at a cost of 150 thousand KM excluding VAT over the next three years. As stated in the public procurement notice, funded by all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the procurement covers the provision of services and the purchase of airline tickets, which involves intermediation in the procurement of airline tickets and the delivery of such tickets for the needs of 'JP Autoceste FBiH d.o.o. Mostar'.
Experts point out that such contracts are often susceptible to favouritism, meaning that the contracts might be steered towards friends, relatives, and acquaintances through various agencies. It's rare to imagine that in a public company filled with officials and assistants, there wouldn't be anyone capable of reviewing bids, placing orders, and acquiring tickets for the company's needs.
Denis Lasić, as stated in his official biography, was the principal of the School of Economics 'Jozo Martinović' (1999 - 2011) in Mostar. From November 9, 2011, to March 19, 2015, he held the position of Prime Minister of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. He served two terms as the Federal Minister of Transport and Communications. His assets notably increased in the last four years, during which he built a large estate in Polog, purchased an apartment worth around 300 thousand KM in the centre of Mostar and acquired a penthouse of 140 square meters valued at around 300 thousand KM in the same building where he had previously declared a 72-square-meter apartment in Orci. The price of the four-bedroom apartment with two balconies was advertised online and was being sold for 280 thousand KM. If we add the old one, Lasić owns over 200 square meters of property in Orci – two apartments, one of 140 square meters and the other of 72 square meters.
The director of Autoceste (Highways) has reported ownership of only one apartment.
According to information from CIN (Center for Investigative Journalism), Denis Lasić is the owner of an apartment measuring 71 square meters in Mostar, which he valued at 100 thousand KM. His wife Tina owns another apartment of 139 square meters with an estimated value of 250 thousand KM, as well as a Hyundai Tucson valued at 20 thousand KM, according to Lasić's estimation. His father Karlo is the owner of a significant amount of land, including the property seen in Polog near Mostar.
The long-serving state official, who should serve as an example to other citizens, has not actually legalized the hacienda and property in Polog, something that most of his compatriots have only seen in Mexican soap operas. Lasić has shown the way for many to build whatever they desire on non-building land because his father's land in the land registry is still categorized as pasture. However, ordinary citizens who lack paved and fenced access to their homes could face penalties, which is difficult to expect in the case of a former county prime minister, former federal minister, and current director of a public company.
Clicking on the data related to the "family estate with a house and a pool" reveals that everything was actually built without permits.
Such information is not difficult to verify in publicly available records, which once again confirms that Denis Lasić built everything.
When things get complicated and if you need to smooth out your image before elections or before taking on a public function, it's best to task party media with explaining to the public that things are not really as they appear to people's eyes.
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