The ongoing work incurred close to RM5mil in additional costs
PETALING JAYA: Fungal infestation at the Biological Sciences and Chemical Sciences blocks at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Bangi campus led to upgrading work with increased costs and further losses due to disruption in research work.
The Auditor-General’s Report stated that failure to keep to the project schedule resulted in a cost increase of RM3.04mil and extra expenditure of RM1.81mil.
To make matters worse, this also affected 251 UKM research projects valued at RM41.06mil.
The two blocks built in 1980, covering a total area of 39,284sq m, have been in critical and unsafe condition following severe fungal issues since 2010, leading to its closure and non-use since 2020.
The report stated that the RM43.28mil project to upgrade health-risk buildings and facilities was implemented under the Restoration, Conservation, Renovation and Upgrading (PPUN) category using a design-to-cost approach, with the original contract period from April 12, 2023 to Oct 7, 2025.
“The project has been granted a 15-month extension and is now expected to be completed on Jan 6, 2027 due to a delay in appointing mechanical and electrical subcontractors as well as additional work scope following site assessments,” the report stated.
The project’s 11 variation orders involved additional costs of RM3.04mil, while physical progress stood at only 34% as of Oct 2025.
Fungal treatment works at the P13 Chemical Sciences Building have yet to commence, while the P15 Chemical Sciences Building has not been fully handed over to the Public Works Department (JKR) as it is still being used for teaching and learning purposes.
“The damage has resulted in UKM incurring additional costs of RM1.81mil for the rental of external laboratories, upgrading of hall spaces, sample storage as well as replacement of assets and furniture to ensure 251 research projects can continue.
“A total of 27 research projects amounting to RM3.09mil were given extensions ranging from six to 21 months, while 63 research and development assets valued at RM0.72mil had to be moved to other locations,” the report stated.
In its response to the audit, the Finance Ministry proposed a committee or platform at the ministry level to review problematic projects under its purview.
JKR said the additional project costs were necessary due to the expansion of the work scope, with applications for cost increases submitted to the Higher Education Ministry and UKM, with part of the additional allocation approved by the Economy Ministry.
UKM, in its response, said the closure of key laboratories affected research productivity, with more than 40% of publication targets yet to be achieved as of last October, in addition to challenges in student intake and a decline in the quality of research output.
The report stated that UKM was implementing phased vacating in line with the provision of temporary laboratories by JKR, and will hand over the P15 Building once alternative placements were ready and safe for use.
