KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 ― The Defence Ministry spent RM253 million to fund 11 infrastructure projects in Sarawak over the last five years, but according to the Auditor-General’s (A-G) report released today, the quality of the work done was less than satisfactory.

The report stated that in eight of the 11 Jiwa Murni Projects (JMP), which is a collaborative effort between the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), the Royal Armed Engineers Regiment (RAJD) and companies selected by the government, defective roads were built and were not given proper maintenance.

“Quality of work was less satisfactory. Road shoulders and drains were not built, potholes, uneven and muddy road surfaces in certain stretches of the Road project from Pekan Belaga to Mejawah, Belaga; Road project from Long Lopeng to Ba‟kelalan, Lawas and Road project from Miri to Marudi,” the report said.

“Road maintenance was less satisfactory. Faded road lines; and untrimmed wild plants and grass along road shoulders,” the report added.

The A-G’s report was based on findings of the audit conducted between September and December 2015 on the eight projects in Kapit, Miri and Limbang.

The report also noted that the safety of the roads built were “less satisfactory” as they were steep and winding with “no slopes protection.”

Land acquisition activities were also inadequate and resulted in certain landowners not being paid their rightful compensation.

“Procedures for land acquisition, compensation arrangements and arbitration processes were not implemented resulting in unpaid land and crop compensation to landowners,” the report said, but did not elaborate further.

The A-G recommended that the Defence Ministry as well as the Sarawak state government adhere to the proper land requisition processes outlined in the “State Land Code (Chapter 81) 1958”.

The report detailed that from 2009 to June 30, 2015, ATM carried out 11 projects under JMP which amounted to a contract sum of RM253.98 million.

The procurement for these project were conducted through “direct negotiation” between the Defence Ministry’s Development Division and select contractors, all of which were approved by the Finance Ministry.

The report did not name these contractors.

National newswire Bernama reported deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying last month that RM743 million had been allocated to the JMP to build more roads in the rural areas of Sarawak.