Ismail Sabri Yaakob said contractors who were late or failed to complete projects not only undermined the government and people’s aspirations, but also caused project costs to soar.
“Existing contractors should be monitored closely until the work is completed,” he told a press conference after visiting the project site of the Hospital Petra Jaya (HPJ) here today.
The rescue contractor for the hospital project began work on the uncompleted portion of the abandoned work early this year. The hospital is now expected to be fully operational in 2024.
HPJ was once categorised as a “sick project” after it fell behind its scheduled completion date of November 2016 due to delays in construction.
Ismail said the Sarawak government had made several requests to the federal government to facilitate development in the state, especially in the rural areas.
He said these requests were made when he attended a development briefing by the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit this morning, in the presence of rural development minister Mahdzir Khalid.
“Among the matters raised were development in the rural areas, the need for water utilities and roads to be upgraded, and repairs to dilapidated schools or new ones to be built throughout Sarawak,” he said.
Ismail said the Implementation Coordination Unit director-general Ruji Ubi had been directed to hold discussions with Sarawak state secretary Amar Jaul Samion on matters arising under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) involving the state.
“By the end of the 12MP, I hope these matters can be resolved. I have given my commitment to the Sarawak state government that we will help in terms of rural development,” he said.
Asked if there would be good news for Sarawak in the 2022 budget, Ismail said: “God willing (there will be). If I announce it today, you won’t follow the (Budget) announcement later … wait,” he said.
On the Sarawak state election, he said the Election Commission had yet to table the SOPs for the polls, which are speculated to be held soon.
“Not yet … let’s not pre-empt the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Dissolution (of the state assembly), the setting of dates, and lifting of the Emergency order are all within the Agong’s powers. Let’s just wait,” he said.
He was accompanied today by Sarawak chief minister Abang Johari Openg, deputy chief minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, works minister Fadillah Yusof and state local government and housing minister Sim Kui Hian.