RM4.5 m for delapidated columns & field.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw requests the City Hall Kuala Lumpur to explain why after spending RM4.5 million to build International Radio Circuit for remote controlled cars project, only a few columns on a wild grass field are left. Why has the project failed?

On 4.4.2010, Dr Tan and residents visited the project site at the 120-acre Kepong Metropolitan Park. A field at the park is popular with kite enthusiasts.

At the beginning of 2007, the City Hall started to implement the project, appointing K Wisdom as the main contractor. It seems that the subcontractor could not get money from the main contractor. The project stalled, leaving a few columns and fencing enclosing the project site. By the beginning of 2009, the fence broke down,wild shrubs grew with insects such as Aedes mosquitoes from discarded containers.

Why was a subcontractor needed for such a project? Another rent-seeking and patronage arrangement?

Now, the authority has removed the fence and cut down some wild shrubs, leaving the dilapilated columns and grass field at the project site.

On 21.8.2007, we visited the site, asking the City Hall why the project stalled. On 1.4.2008, we revisited the site, noticing no action taken. On 19.4.2009, we again went to the place, reminding the Datuk Bandar two days later of the failed project. On 4.12.2009, the subject was again raised in a dialogue with the Datuk Bandar who answered on 15.4.2001 that the City Hall had spent RM4.5 million on the project.

A new contractor is supposed to be appointed in March, 2010, and the work is to be completed in four months. During our visit to the site on 4.4.2010, works has not begun. If and when the project is revived, will it need another RM5 million?

City folks would like to know the whole truth about the delay of the project for nearly three years. It should have been completed within four months.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw