KUALA LUMPUR: A special committee has been formed to take action on "sick" projects under the Works Ministry, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The Works Minister said that this was necessary because delayed or sick projects usually end up becoming a public eyesore.
"Based on our information, only about three percent out of all the ministry's implemented projects are problematic or sick projects
"The numbers may be small, but they become an eyesore and the talk of the public.
"Actually, we have projects which have been completed a year ahead of time or on schedule, but they are not talked about much," he told reporters after launching the Malaysia-South Korea ITS Roadshow 2025 here on Tuesday (Dec 9).
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On Monday (Dec 8), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the ministry must get tough with contractors who delay infrastructure projects to ensure their completion on schedule.
Anwar said that this is crucial as the ministry is responsible for numerous development projects that involve the people’s interests.
To address this, Nanta said that ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Azman Ibrahim has formed a special committee to monitor such projects and take appropriate action to speed up their completion.
"However, there are legal elements about these projects and termination of the contracts cannot be easily done," he added.
Asked for the reason behind the delays, Nanta said various factors are involved, including management issues.
"There is no single reason for the delays.
"They are usually due to human elements and other factors such as approvals, which are managed by several agencies such as the respective state governments, local authorities and others," he added.
He cited the example of road widening projects, which may at times require the relocation of utility infrastructure.
"The relocation of such facilities requires approval from the agencies responsible for the utilities," he said.
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Earlier in his speech, Nanta lauded the close relationship between Malaysia and South Korea in terms of development and the use of advanced technology.
He cited the construction of the Penang Second Bridge and one of the PETRONAS Twin Towers as examples of South Korea's visible construction legacy in the country.
At the same event, Nanta and South Korea's Land, Infrastructure and Transport vice minister Hee Up Kang witnessed the exchange of documents under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ministries.
The MoU is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in development and advanced technologies between the two countries.
Some 150 experts, government representatives, highway operators and technology companies from both countries are participating in the roadshow.
