MIRI – Both state and federal ministries have been urged to make public the amount paid out to contractors so far for the RM10.35 billion worth of critical projects in the state.
Sarawak PKR information chief Abun Sui said the public deserves to know these figures as the majority of projects have been delayed and, in some cases, abandoned.
“These huge sums of money are taxpayers’ money.
“How much of this money has already been paid out to these contractors who did not get these jobs done properly?
“Are these contractors linked to any state politicians?
“We the rakyat deserve to know the full details,” he told The Vibes today.
Sui, who is also a native rights lawyer based in Miri, is one of the few individuals who have gone to great lengths to highlight numerous delayed and abandoned projects in remote parts of northern and central Sarawak.
Two days ago, the Public Works Department (PWD) revealed in Kuching that it had identified 95 crucial projects worth RM10.35 billion throughout Sarawak that have been critically delayed.
These projects include important infrastructure projects such as government clinics, schools, teachers’ quarters, village roads and bridges, and also four packages part of the Pan Borneo Highway.
The PWD in a press statement had stated the findings were made at the end of June.
It further revealed that contractors for 18 of these delayed projects have since been terminated from their awarded work packages for their failure and are being replaced with new contractors.
The department added it hopes to rescue and complete 47 of these sick projects by the end of the year.
Among the long-delayed but crucial projects include the Long Busang clinic.
On July 12, it was reported that a crucial government clinic project launched eight years ago for the benefit of natives living close to the Bakun Dam in central Sarawak had been abandoned and apparently forgotten.
The site of the proposed clinic at the Long Busang settlement, located some five hours upstream of the dam, is now covered by tall grass and bushes, with skeletal pillars and roofing beams worn out by the weather and nature.
Abun had said that the abandoned project, located deep inside Belaga district, was said to have cost RM3 million in government allocation. – The Vibes, August 25, 2022
