GEORGE TOWN – The abandoned Seberang Jaya Hospital expansion project should be taken seriously as it has deprived the community of healthcare, especially during a pandemic.
Former Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah told The Vibes that the federal government should step in using the emergency order to compel the previous contractors to complete the project.
“I am saddened with the status of the expansion project. It could have been a major centre to treat those infected with Covid-19.”
He said there is an urgency to complete the project as it is a referral hospital in the northern region.
The expansion should have been completed in 2018 with a 638-bed capacity.
The RM368 million project, involving a 10-storey block that included a multi-level car park, was launched in 2015.
Arif Shah, who was an assemblyman between 2004 and 2013, said he highlighted the need for the hospital’s expansion to the state and federal governments after witnessing the congestion at the facility.
“I have to thank former finance minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, who approved the project, however, the take-off was delayed as well.
“Governments can change for 10 times, but policymakers should not meddle with an almost completed project as public interest is of utmost importance.
“If the contractor is a crony or performs below-par, it should be reviewed. We should not have proceeded with the re-tendering process.”
The project was delayed when the federal government changed following the May 2018 general election won by Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The PH government had demanded an open tender system to ensure transparency, inadvertently contributing to the delay.
In February 2019, it was reported that 15 out of 19 open tenders had not been awarded as a result of the change in government.
Arif Shah, who is the chairman of the Malaysian Community Welfare and Unity Organisation, proposed that under emergency ordinance, the Health Ministry should seek immediate funds and permission from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to expedite the completion of the project.
“Despite the movement control order, we must observe stringent standard operating procedures. We should work round-the-clock to complete the project.”
Meanwhile, Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) councillor Fahmi Zainol said the delay in the completion of the major public infrastructure projects had impacted the shortage of hospital beds to treat Covid-19 patients.
“If it was completed earlier, it would have been a major facility to treat pandemic patients in the state.
“The authorities could have least overcome the shortage of hospital beds to treat the Covid-19 patients.
“The completion of the project was delayed due to the re-tendering process, otherwise it could have been completed in 2018. As we know the main contractor had completed 90% of the structure and what was left was work needed to be done by subcontractors.
“The delay is expected to drag further as construction projects are unable to proceed at full capacity.”
According to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Fahmi said, most contractors could not proceed with their construction projects as they have to bear the excess cost due to the pandemic.
“Health institutions and facilities are frontline institutions that should be given priority.” – The Vibes, January 23, 2021
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