KUALA TERENGGANU: Poorly-maintained or abandoned ‘sick’ projects costing nearly RM1.2 billion are damaging the reputation and socio-economy of Terengganu.
Urging the Pas-led state government to undertake remedial measures, state Pakatan Harapan (PH) chief Raja Datuk Seri Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said these projects were eyesores and seriously undermined future investments.
“These ‘sick’ projects are leftovers from the Barisan Nasional-led state government, which swept problems under the carpet. So much so that Terengganu Darul Iman has earned the ignominy of being labelled ‘Terengganu Darul Runtuh’ (a collapse state), owing to its bad culture, unaccountability and poor governance,” said the chairman of the state Parti Amanah Nasional (Amanah).
“I hope the Pas-led state government will work with the PH Federal Government to sort out this mess.”
He warned that if nothing was done, prospective investors would think twice before venturing into Terengganu and this would adversely affect the state’s socio-economy.
The ‘sick’ projects include the RM300 million Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak, which sustained a roof collapse in 2009, Besut-Setiu Agropolitan project, Aquapolitan project in Seberang Takir, Kuala Terengganu City Centre, Knowledge Park in Tembila, Besut, Duty Free Zone in Tasik Kenyir, Kemaman Zoo, East Coast Rail Link, amphibious buses, swimming pool complex in Batu Burok and Crystal Mosque in Taman Tamadun Islam.
Next week, Raja Kamarul will submit a four-volume report titled Investigation Committee on the Roof Collapse at Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Kuala Terengganu to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Among other things, the report questions how a South Korean contractor, which was not registered with the Construction Industry Development Board, could have been engaged to undertake the construction of the RM35 million roof of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.
It also queries the loss of generator sets, electrical cables and other assets following the roof collapse.
“Why was the area not secured? This is the same scenario with other failed projects like the Knowledge Park in Besut that was vandalised. It looks like a case of crime without criminals as, to date, no one has been held accountable,” said Raja Kamarul, who added that he was initiating fresh investigations to prevent a recurrence. He added that this was consistent with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s initiative to reopen unresolved cases that were of public interest.
Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has given assurances that the ‘sick’ projects would be reviewed and not abandoned. He said the suitability of the projects and the financial implications would be taken into consideration.
“We want to relook into the projects as large sums of money are involved at a time when Terengganu and the country are facing a heavy financial burden (left by the previous BN state and federal governments).
“We need to scrutinise and liaise with the Federal Government to determine whether these projects are viable and if financing is available for them to proceed.”
Samsuri said he had discussed the matter with the prime minister and greatly appreciated the cordial working relationship between the state and federal governments.
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