KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — The Transport Ministry must penalise the firm handling the rail link between Johor and Singapore for missing the deadline to complete a depot in Kempas, Johor, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended.
PAC chairman Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin said this was because the contractor only completed about 81 per cent of the project as of December 31, 2013, despite previously getting an extension to November the same year, and delaying the entire project.
“Among the reasons why the project has been delayed is because of the failure of the contractor to give its full commitment and not abiding by the government’s contract.
“A fine must be imposed on the contractor as stated in the terms of agreement while the Ministry of Transport and KTMB must improve their management to ensure sustainable assets management in the long run,” he said in a statement.
According to Hasan, the project includes upgrading the Tanjong Pagar and Woodlands stations as well as the construction of a depot in Kempas.
He said that as the contractor tasked to upgrade the Woodlands station by the Singaporean government had completed the project on time, the delay in Kempas tarnished Malaysia’s image.
Hasan also recommended the government improve its coordination process between the ministries, departments and contractors to ensure such an issue was not repeated.
