KUCHING: Errant or incompetent contractors who are unable to complete state government projects satisfactorily will no longer be tolerated, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the present status of project implementation reported by the state Public Works Department (JKR) was of “great concern”, with 34 projects critically delayed as of Jan 27.Another 29 projects were late, while 149 projects were on schedule.
“After being briefed by the respective implementing agencies, I noticed that there are many issues and challenges encountered on the ground, including the contractors’ lack of commitment and poor performance,” he said when opening a seminar on new initiatives to enhance Sarawak’s construction industry.
He highlighted five projects that had been delayed for one to three years due to contractor problems.
They included the construction of the Limbang Development Museum and Historical Gallery, which was facing a year’s delay; the upgrading of five roundabouts along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway (delayed for two years); and the proposed Marudi Bridge over the Baram River in Miri division (delayed for about three years).