KUALA LUMPUR – A few subcontractors of the newly-opened Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) claim they have yet to be paid for the construction of the mega project.
According to The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister publication Getaran, Mathew Thomas Philip, who represents a group of disgruntled subcontractors, said he is aiding them in recovering an alleged RM80 million in debts.
He said the outstanding amount owed to the contractors has put them in a quandary.
“I see the difficulties the DASH Highway has caused them, their families, their own employees, agents, and suppliers resulting from the unpaid work relating to the construction of the DASH Highway,” Philip wrote in a posting on Facebook.
Stretching a total of 20.1km, DASH connects Puncak Perdana to Penchala. The new highway began operations on October 14, offering users free toll rates until November 30.
The highway, which began construction in 2016 is worth a total of RM4.2 billion and is connected to the Guthrie Corridor Highway (GCE), the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), and the Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal System (SPRINT Highway).
In the post, Philip said some rules should be put in place to ensure fairness to all those who worked on the infrastructure project, as it would eventually be paid for by the people who used the highway.
“I wonder what it is like for them (subcontractors) to drive on this highway that they helped build, but which may be the cause of their own financial hardship because they have not been paid and may never be paid for the work they have done,” Philip said.
“I wonder what the real costs are of this DASH Highway in terms of unpaid work and bankruptcies that will happen to the subcontractors.”
Philip also noted concerns that his law firm alone was handling RM80 mil in debts related to DASH, and that the total amount allegedly owed to all subcontractors has yet to be made known.
“I spared a thought for them this morning and hope that I can use my skills to mitigate the losses they will suffer from the construction of the DASH Highway.” – The Vibes, October 17, 2022
