KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — The 22-year-old Seri Perdana Complex was in dire need of renovations worth RM38.5 million, after significant wear and tear to both its interior and exterior, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Abd Latiff Ahmad said.
In a statement today, he also sought to correct previous reports that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had revealed RM30 million was spent on renovations for the prime minister’s official residence, saying that it was him who had responded to a query on the matter from Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
Abd Latiff said that the Public Works Department’s (PWD) assessment of the building’s condition showed RM38.5 million was needed for repairs.
“The Seri Perdana Complex, which was built in 1997 and fully completed in 1999, is the official government residence for the prime minister of Malaysia. Seri Perdana Complex, which is now 22 years old, has suffered much wear and tear due to its age. Thus, the PWD did the scope of repairs at a total cost of RM38.5 million, including replacing the electrical wiring system and leaking roofs of the Seri Perdana Complex.
“The project was approved on March 19, 2021 and work began on March 29, 2021. It is expected to be completed on December 7, 2021. To date (September 29, 2021), progress is at 74 per cent, compared to 71 per cent as scheduled,” he said.
Yesterday, national news agency Bernama reported that the renovations were carried out after the government took into consideration safety factors and the need to uphold the country’s image when welcoming foreign dignitaries for the prime minister’s official programmes.
Bernama reported Ismail Sabri as saying that the renovations included improvements to the electrical and mechanical wiring, and air conditioning systems, and structural work at the official residence block.
The renovations also reportedly involved replacing old and dilapidated furniture.
“As of August 30, the progress of the renovations is at 60 per cent,” he was reported as saying in a written reply to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) MP.
Mahfuz had wanted to know the status, elements and scope of the renovations to the Seri Perdana Complex, which allegedly cost RM30 million.
