96 pct of JKR projects completed without delays, less than 4pc delayed or problematic — Works Minister

Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi. Photo credit: Sarawak Information Department (Japen)

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Sept 17: About 96 per cent of projects implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR) and Ministry of Works (KKR) are completed without delays or major problems, with less than 4 per cent classified as delayed or problematic at any one time, says Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Nanta said the figures reflected the scale of projects being implemented by JKR and KKR, involving thousands of projects and billions of ringgit in government allocations.

“Less than 4 per cent are late or problematic. But unfortunately, the 96 per cent that are excellent are not reported,” he said in his speech during the handover of the Customs Enforcement Seizure Store in Kuching today.

He said KKR nevertheless would not tolerate delayed or “sick” projects simply because they represented a small proportion of the overall portfolio, and was determined to bring the figure down to zero.

“Even though it is a small percentage, we will not tolerate it. We will not say, ‘Okay, let it be.’ No. We want to bring the number of sick projects to zero,” he said during a subsequent press conference.

Nanta also stressed that completing projects ahead of schedule — or “Ahead of Time” (AOT) — was not a new standard introduced by KKR, but had always been the department’s aim.

“If a project can be completed earlier, that is even better — ahead of time. We want to address problems involving projects that require extension of time,” he said.

He cited several examples of projects delivered ahead of schedule, including a school in Kampung Gelangi, Felda Jerantut, which he said was completed 310 days early, and a RM18 million religious school extension project in Daro which was completed almost a year ahead of schedule.

In Sarawak, Nanta said the contractor for the Kolej Profesional MARA project in Kapit had indicated that the project could potentially be completed about a year early.

However, he said JKR was coordinating its completion with the water supply project to ensure the facility would have water when it was ready.

“Otherwise, how are we going to use buckets to bring water?” he quipped.

Nanta also said project delays could stem from various factors and should not automatically be attributed to JKR or contractors, citing weaknesses in company management or finances, site issues, changes in scope and delays in obtaining approvals or additional allocations.

He called on all parties involved in government projects to work together to ensure projects were completed on schedule and did not become delayed or “sick”.

Meanwhile, Nanta reminded the contractor for the newly completed Customs Enforcement Seizure Store in Kuching that it remained within the Defects Liability Period (DLP), and should rectify any defects found during the period.

“Whatever is found to be imperfect or incomplete, please carry out your responsibility during this DLP period,” he said. — DayakDaily