After checking all buildings, the Government should present a White Paper in Parliament

_______________
Media Statement
by Dr Tan Seng Giaw
__________________

(Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday) : I comment on the outrage and embarassment of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi concerning the series of defects of government buildings on 1 May, 2007.

I propose that after checking all buildings, the Government should present a White Paper in Parliament, stating the real reasons for the pipe leakage at the Immigration Department Headquarters on 11 April, 2007, and a leaky sprinkler system at the Entrepreneur and Co-operative Devlopment Ministry, both in Putrajaya, as well as the ceiling collapse at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, Jalan Duta. We need a workable solution such as effective open tender and maintenance systems.

For many years, we have been feeling aggrieved with some of the government projects and buildings. Now, the Prime Minister is angry and ashamed of the defects. We fervently hope that after instructing the Public Works Department to inspect all buildings immediately, Abdullah should direct the Works Ministry or form an Independent Commission and present a White Paper on the matter. Members of Parliament can then represent the people to debate it in great depth, enquiring into those responsible.

Putrajaya is only built recently, and yet there are serious defects. After spending tens of billions of ringgits of public fund, the leakage of pipes and sprinkler system and the collapse of ceiling boggle the mind.

Last century, Brazil built its new capital Brazilia and Australia constructed Canberra. This century, Myanma erects its new capital; we don't know whether anything will go wrong. Brazilia and Canberra have not had similar leakage and collapse. Will we see more shameful defects in government buildings?

On 20 March, 2007, I raised in Parliament once more about government projects and their problems. The Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said that from 1990 until the end of 2006, the Government completed successfully 9,235 projects. There were no failures. The Government removed the names of 180 contractors who failed. But, we have been really unhappy with projects like the Matrade building at Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, that took many years to complete, some school buildings and computer rooms could not be used, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar has been delayed, the flood mitigation project in Kuala Lumpur takes longer than estimated and the saga of the Kepong MRR2 (flyover) that cracked extensively. The repair works of MRR2 was first announced as RM18 million, going up to RM40 million, RM67 million and further claims from the contractor. The delays and the extra cost of projects upset the people.

The Prime Minister has said: "I feel ashamed. These are new buildings and there are problems. There must be something wrong.

"We don't know if this is becuase the contractor did not do the work properly, was careless, or the buildings were poorly designed.

"Maintenance is very important. I have said this many times but these people, as long as nothing happens, they don't care. I can't go everywhere to look after them."

We shall remind the Prime Minister about this issue in Parliament. We shall follow it up. The Government should table a White Paper on the matter and provide longer time for debate. This is essential.

(1/5/2007)