Announce the details of works, claims and cost in MRR2 Kepong repair, 22.3.2007.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw appeals to the Government to announce in details the real cost of Middle Ring Road II (MRR2) Kepong, including various problems and claims in the repair of 31 cracked beams of the flyover.

Dr Tan studies the reply in parliament by the Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu regarding MRR2 on 20 March, 2007.

According to the Works Minister, the actual cost of MRR2 repair works is not final because there are still claims from the contractor, the Consortium of BumiHiway and others, and these have to be referred to the Public Works Department (PWD) Claims Committee. Hitherto, PWD has paid for the repair in advance amounting to RM 67.9 million.

PWD appointed the British consultant, Halcrow Group Limited, to study the cracked beams, costing RM 7.5 million, whereas the consultant for the contractor, Leonhart Andra & Partners cost RM 7 million.

PWD has paid for the cost of repair. It then negotiates with the contractor, taking three months. Will the latter foot the bills for the renovation?

Dr Tan asked Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu about late or failed projects such as the Matrade building, Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, and the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Alor Star.

Last year, the Works Minister requested the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to announce the repair works on MRR2 with the British consultant, costing RM18 million. Two weeks later, the Government said that the German consultant had replaced the British, at RM40 million. Now, PWD has paid RM 67.9 million, and the total expenditure is still unknown.

Dr Tan posed a series of questions on the total cost of MRR2 and the myriad problems of the repair works.

Samy Vellu asked Dr Tan:" Is your head full? Did you not sleep last night? You are closing your ears."

The most important thing is that MRR2 Kepong is nearly similar to many flyovers along the Middle Ring Road. But, 31 of its 33 beams cracked. At one time the minister insisted that the cracks were not due to design fault, and challenged the public on it.

It is true that there was severe traffic congestion at the closed MRR2. The Government had to repair it as soon as possible, including paying for it in advance. We hope that PWD maintains the flyover well for ever.

We must identify the part played by the Economic Planning Unit, the Finance Ministry and the Works Ministry in projects such as MRR2. To what extent is PWD responsible?

Meanwhile, Samy Vellu has to tell the people the total cost of MRR2, including the various problems and the claims for the renovation of cracked beams. We continue to follow up the matter.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw