KUCHING, June 30: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) wants to review the work process of the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak as part of an effort to minimise the occurrence of ‘sick projects’ – projects which have been subject to undue delay.
Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas pointed out that JKR Sarawak has already put in place a sophisticated standard operating procedure (SOP), yet the problem still exists, with 84 sick projects currently recorded in the State.
“The question is, why is this still happening?
“It is extremely critical for the projects to be completed eventually because the people and the government have very high expectations of JKR as well as the Ministry to deliver.
“So our priority is to come up with action plans to ensure they will be successfully implemented,” he said in a statement today.
Uggah highlighted this when witnessing the handing over of responsibilities from the Ministry’s retiring permanent secretary Datu Safri Zainudin to his successor Chiew Chee Yau at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
The Deputy Premier thus urged all stakeholders to work closely together as it is not only MIPD or JKR that were entrusted to deliver but all agencies under the Ministry.
“This is most vital as successful completion of all projects will spur further economic growth and improve the livelihood of the people in Sarawak,” he reminded.
On Chiew’s appointment, Uggah is confident that with his vast working experience in JKR, he could help the Ministry, JKR and all other agencies to rise to the occasion.
There are about 9,000 projects worth more than RM48 billion and five ports under the MIPD.
Deputy Ministers Datuk Majang Renggi and Ir Aidel Lariwoo as well as State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and his two deputies Datu Sri Abu Bakar Marzuki and Datu Ik Pahon Joik were also present. — DayakDaily
