It seem that we in Terengganu better to get ready for another collapse if we want to visit any public building. The latest collapsed building was the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s Oceanographic and Tropical Aquaculture building. As reported in one of PAS on-line news the contractor is M.A.N Sdn Bhd with an address at 25-A Losong Masjid, 21000 Kuala Terengganu. It is local Terengganu company with ties to BN.
I have been commuting between Kuala Terengganu (KT) and Kuala Lumpur for the past six months since my other half was posted in KT. I do like the environment in KT but the infrastructure and the socio-political scenario could be considered one the worst in the country. It is a pity with the oil money it had been receiving.
One of the issue that I want to write about here is the lack of professionalism of the local contractors especially the construction of East Coast Expressway (ECE) phase 2.
The project has been delayed and the related minister has stated that the ECE phase 2 will be completed in late 2011 and can be used by early 2012.
As been reported, the delayed was partially due to the withdrawal of two contractors-GPQ /Bukit Putri and Syarikat Arah Jitu Sdn. Bhd. The former is a joint ventured between GPQ, a subsidiary of Perbadanan Memajukan Iktisad Negeri Terengganu(Terengganu state owned company) and Bukit Putri, an unknown entity. Arah Jitu is company related to one of UMNO bigwig in Hulu Terengganu. The reason given by both contractors for the withdrawal was the escalating bitumen prices. I just wonder why only this two contractors are affected by the escalating prices of bitumen while the other contractors have the ability to continue the project. Looking at it maybe the contractors are not qualified and just because they have tie to the political master they were given the project.
Arah Jitu has the necessary experience in infrastructure construction but after receiving the ECE contract the company was awarded with few other projects. Maybe the company financial and manpower resources were stretched. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew.
Arah Jitu has the necessary experience in infrastructure construction but after receiving the ECE contract the company was awarded with few other projects. Maybe the company financial and manpower resources were stretched. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew.
As a consequence of the short-sightedness of the local Terengganu contractors, the local folks and visitors were deprived of comfortable journey to KT.
