Construction of Bintulu RTM complex resumes after new contractor appointed

She said the RM17.77 million project was awarded to Laras Jaya Construction Sdn Bhd through an open tender and is expected to be completed within 18 months.

“The project began in September 2020 and was supposed to be completed in September 2022, but physical progress only reached 44.1% despite nine extensions of time being granted,” Bernama quoted her as saying after the handover of the letter of acceptance for the project at the Bintulu public works department office today.

Teo said a notice of default was issued on May 25, 2023, before the contract with the original contractor was officially terminated on Dec 4 that year.

“Some completed sections of the building can proceed with construction, but other parts will need to be demolished as they are no longer suitable or safe for use after the project was abandoned in 2023,” she said.

Two other RTM development projects in Sarawak also received letters of acceptance, namely the construction of RTM quarters in Sri Aman and Sibu.

The Sri Aman project, worth nearly RM9.99 million, was awarded to Dema Tega Sdn Bhd, while the Sibu project, valued at RM8.87 million, was awarded to Crest Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Teo said the projects involved the construction of 16 residential units each. The three contracts commenced on Feb 4, and are expected to be completed by Aug 3, 2027.

She said her ministry was planning two more development projects in Sarawak that were now in the final stage of the open tender process.

One of them is the construction of staff quarters for RTM in Limbang, expected to cost about RM11.8 million and to receive its letter of acceptance before the middle of this year.

“There is also a project to build an additional building for the Sarawak information department,” she said.