By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 5: Sarawak may look into implementing the selective tender system for future projects in the State, says Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is the Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, said the issue of many ‘sick’ projects in Sarawak was not due to a lack of funding but was rather caused by open tenders and contractors’ capability to complete the projects.
He explained that with Sarawak recently recording an annual revenue performance of almost RM12 billion for the year 2022, the State must also have the capacity to implement various projects, which would be funded with the allocation distributed from the revenue.
“For a long time, we never have so much money to do so many projects, and suddenly we have so much money to do so many projects (sic).
“Therefore, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development) and all relevant agencies will start relooking into it.
“Perhaps in the future, how (would) we do the open tender, is it going to be selected tender or what, rather than just people abusing the system of open tender in the name of transparency (sic),” he told reporters after Siniawan’s Ah-Nyong traditional street procession in conjunction with Chap Goh Mei 2023 celebration at Siniawan Heritage Town in Bau today.
He further said the Sarawak government has no hesitation in terminating underperforming contractors, but such a process would involve legal procedures and other financial implications.
He also mentioned how ‘sick’ projects such as the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway traffic light project in Samarahan would be used by the Opposition to blame the local councils, although the project is, in fact, under the supervision of the Public Works Department (JKR).
“This is just another example of how through the open tender, the contractor was found unable to deliver the project. As a result, the people around the Samarahan area have been suffering for two years.
“However, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has been working very closely with JKR in appointing a rescue contractor to resolve the Samarahan traffic congestion issue as much as possible,” he added.
For the Siniawan area, Dr Sim took note of the proposed extension of Swee Guk Kung Temple which requires RM3 million, of which he would try to get the requested allocation through People’s Project or Unit for Other Religions (Unifor).
Touching on phase two of the Siniawan Waterfront extension project here, he said the stretch would be among the many waterfronts in Sarawak as part of Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s legacy.
Also present were Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, Bau District officer Constantine Gerald David Jonas, Kapitan of Siniawan Bong Boon Kah and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Serembu branch chairman Dylan Lai. — DayakDaily
