There are doubts Chinese government-owned telecommunications giant Huawei will be able to deliver a $136 million contract for Perth’s rail network after the United States brought criminal charges against the company.

Huawei won the contract to build and maintain a 4G communications system for the Public Transport Authority in July last year after being cleared by Australian government intelligence agencies.

West Australian planning minister Rita Saffioti says the state government is seeking advice about whether Huawei can still deliver the project given the company uses technology components from the US, which may be subject to trade sanctions.

“We’re seeking assurances and also getting clarification about the ability of the contract to be delivered,” she told 6PR radio on Wednesday.

Ms Saffioti said there were only two bidders who made it through the entire tender process and “the other one had probably more difficulties” than Huawei and likely could not deliver the project.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Liza Harvey accused the minister of being “a little bit loose with the truth” by suggesting Huawei was the only viable contractor.

“There are other network providers that can deliver a mobile phone communication system,” she said.

“The government were made aware of security issues with Huawei ... and we’ve been raising this as an opposition over the past year.”

But Huawei Australia chairman John Lord said he was not worried about losing the contract, adding the company would give a comprehensive response to reassure the state government and PTA of Huawei’s priorities.

“From a board perspective, this WA transport project is our number one priority,” he told ABC radio.

Mr Lord said the Chinese government had never directed or asked Huawei to gather information for intelligence purposes.

“I’d like to reassure the public, nothing has changed on the security aspect,“ he said.

The US has charged Huawei and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou - the daughter of founder Ren Zhengfei - who was arrested in Canada in December at the request of the US.

Huawei denies allegations it has violated trade sanctions, lied to banks and stolen technology.