KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry has warned that strict action, including blacklisting, will be taken against contractors who fail to complete projects within the stipulated timeframe without valid reasons.
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Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said an internal ministry study found that about 75% of project delays were caused by contractors’ own management shortcomings.
“These include weaknesses in project and financial management, procurement and stockpiling of construction materials, manpower management, as well as failures by supervising officers to manage payments in line with completed work that meets specifications,” he said at the handover ceremony of the Letter of Acceptance (SST) for the Sibu Prison Construction Project at the Public Works Department headquarters on Tuesday (Feb 3).
“Contractors are entrusted to implement projects responsibly, as every cent spent involves public funds. I will not hesitate to take firm action if project implementation does not comply with contractual terms and specifications,” he added.
Nanta noted that the ministry will continue to consider contractors facing genuine difficulties, particularly those caused by factors beyond their control that disrupt project progress. He also stressed that the ministry has strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling project delays, in line with its goal of achieving zero sick or delayed projects.
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The Sibu Prison project, he said, has a cost of RM275.33 million with a construction period of 36 months, and is expected to be completed by February 2029. Nanta expressed hope that the project would finish on schedule or ahead of time (AOT).
“The longer a project takes, the longer the public has to wait for the benefits of government initiatives. In this case, delays would also prolong congestion in Malaysian prisons. My challenge is for this project to achieve Zero Sick Projects, Zero Delays, Zero Extension of Time (EOT), and Zero Accidents on site,” he said.
The new prison, which will replace the existing facility that is over 100 years old, is expected to reduce prisoner overcrowding by up to 19%, and improve prison officer readiness to 75% through the provision of adequate residential quarters within the complex.
– BERNAMA
-Thestar