Complete the KL flood mitigation projects as soon as possible

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw presses the contractor for Kuala Lumpur Flood Mitigation Package II, Peremba, to resume work and complete the project, relieving traffic jams, flash floods and dampening effects on business, otherwise the Government should take action against the consortium according to the contract.

Dr Tan issued the statement on 19 May, 2006, when Peremba did not resume work on the package II flood mitigation project.

Kuala Lumpur has two flood mitigation projects: package I, smart tunnel, costs about RM2 billion and package II, Peremba Jinjang, Segambut and Gombak project (Jinjang River, Keroh River and Gombak River) RM800 million. Peremba project is delayed over 10%. Two weeks ago, a subcontractor removed its machineries because of certain reasons. These two days it has shifted back some of the machineries, but has not resumed work in full.

Works at the Jinjang stage causes traffic jams, flash floods and bad effects on business. The public look forward to a speedy completion of the project.

On 4 May, 2006, the Director of the National Drainage and Irrigation Department, Datuk Keizrul Abdullah, briefly touched on the RM800 million package II project while giving a briefing on the package I smart tunnel project and its safety. He appeared at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting in Parliament.This design-and-build project is under the Project Management Consultant (PMC), and the DID supervises it indirectly.

People have asked: why has Peremba been appointed the contractor for the package II? Is the consortium reliable? Why has the Government not used the open tender adopted internationally?

The Federal Territory DID must ensure that there is determination by Peremba to complete the project, solve the problem bewteen it and the subcontractors, and complete the project by the middle of next year. As the project is delayed by over 10% and a subcontractor has removed the machineries, can the contractor catch up and finish the project in time?

The Government must be firm in getting Peremba to resume works, otherwise it should take action against the company. The works should be completed according to specifications.