Another proof of poor delivery system – Upgrading of Jalan Puchong 12th Mile to 16th Mile takes more than two year to complete

It must be a deplorable proof of poor delivery system when the contractor awarded to upgrade Jalan Puchong 12th Mile to 16th Mile takes more than two year to complete the project despite the completed date of the project has been extended.

Tuah Mahir Sdn. Bhd. is the contractor assigned by Public Works Department (PWD) to build a 3.55km four-lane road. The project costs RM 27 million and it started in June 2004. Work was supposed to have finished by December 2005 but Tuah Mahir has asked for an extension of the completion date to June 2006.

While claiming that he will ‘monitor’ the progress of the project, MP Lau Yan Peng also claimed in January 2006 that Tuah Mahir and PWD had assured residents that they would step up safety measures along the stretch. Among the safety measures proposed are:
1. Floodlights would be installed and the number of streetlights increased.
2. Assign a worker present at all times to control the traffic.
3. An overhead pedestrian bridge at 14th Mile is built for people to cross the road to Puchong Utama.

Despite all these sweet promises made more than half a year ago, the entrance from Jalan Puchong into the stretch at 12th Mile is closed now and no vehicles can enter into Puchong 14th Miles via Jalan Puchong.

The confusing traffic lanes have caused several fatal accidents. Vehicles traveling from one direction always have to switch lanes when they reach certain junctions or corners. Besides, there are no adequate signage put up causing confusion to motorists and road users.

DAP Selangor would like to put forward the following six questions to JKR and Lau Yan Peng and we hope that relevant parties including the two and Tuah Mohir could come clear with all the queries we raised:

1. Instead of always giving false hope to the people, could not it be better if Lau Yan Peng utilize part of his RM2 million constituency development allocation for each BN MP to assist in the completion of the project?

2. Tuah Mahir said in January 2006 that work to remove underground pipes and cables had delayed the project. Was there any pre-construction inspection carried out before work started? Or this is not included as part of the scope of works to remove underground pipes and cables included in the Letter of Award (LoA) to Tuah Mahir?

3. Could the Petaling District JKR reveal the contract of the project and to come clear of whether there are any malpractices in awarding the contract to the contractor?

4. Are there additional cost added onto the original cost of RM27 million, since the contractor failed to complete the project in times?

5. Are there any compensation claimed by JKR from the contractor on any delay caused by them? If yes, then how much had been claimed and paid? If not, why?

6. Could JKR shows the track record of the contractor and consider blacklisting the contractor, if they fail to justify their reason for the delay?