Works Minister asks for $10m to conduct checks

The Straits Times, May 12, 2007
By Leslie Lau, Malaysia Correspondent

Samy Vellu in a fix over building defects
Works Minister asks for $10m to conduct checks after being grilled about safety of facilities

KUALA LUMPUR - DRIP by irksome drip, leaks at Malaysia's Parliament House, roof cave-ins and cracks at various new public buildings have pooled into a major embarrassment for the government.

So much so that many Malaysians are now wondering if an upcoming slew of new facilities, including the new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Johor Baru, are safe.

The CIQ complex is set to open in October.

Said parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang yesterday: 'The (uppermost) question is whether Samy Vellu can give an iron-clad guarantee that the RM1.9 billion (S$846 million) Smart Tunnel will be completely trouble-free when it is open to traffic next month.'

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu is Malaysia's longtime Works Minister, and Mr Lim wanted an assurance from him that the new road and flood tunnel in the capital would indeed be safe.

Local broadcaster TV3 reported yesterday that parts of a water pipe from the crack-ridden Middle Ring Road 2 elevated highway here rained on traffic below at noon. No one was hurt, and motorists removed the pipe pieces.

In the administrative capital Putrajaya, ceilings of at least two new government buildings have caved in and leaked.

Just last week, the new court complex here, the second-largest facility of its kind in the world, opened its doors - only to have some of its ceiling panels come crashing down right after that.

Its walls are also cracking, leaving gaping holes that, in one instance, exposed toilet cubicles.

Then, on Monday, the court building's air-conditioning system broke down, leading High Court judge Apandi Ali to blow his top in the middle of a trial, which he then adjourned.

To compound Datuk Seri Samy Vellu's woes, at least six big leaks have been detected in the recently renovated Parliament House.

Now Datuk Seri Samy Vellu has asked that the government grant him RM22 million (S$10 million) to inspect all government buildings for defects.

He said the Cabinet had set up a special committee, led by Auditor-General Ambri Buang, to do a six-month study on all government buildings.

Asked if RM22 million was excessive, Public Accounts Committee chairman Shahrir Samad told reporters yesterday: 'There needs to be more professionalism and one should not be so quick to talk about money.

'We will keep an eye on everything, but let the committee do its job.'

But Mr Lim said: 'Malaysians feel they are being treated as fools. Even when mistakes are made because of negligence or corruption ... the taxpayers (have to foot the bill).'

At least one government critic, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam of non-governmental organisation Transparency International, had warned last week that all these defects were just the tip of the iceberg.

He was referring to shoddy workmanship in the construction industry, blamed on contractors who are eager to clinch contracts but unwilling to do their best.