Baru: Federal JKR can only take over Petra Jaya Hospital project with consent from MoF

KUCHING: The critically delayed Petra Jaya Hospital project can be taken over by the federal Public Works Department (JKR) only with the green light from the Ministry of Finance ( MoF).

At a press conference here yesterday, Works Minister Baru Bian said the matter had been brought to the attention of MoF for further action.

According to him, MoF is looking into the entire project and the reason for the delay of its implementation for two years.

“MoF is examining the whole thing. If they decide there is a really long delay, that there is a breach of conditions of the contract, then MoF will make a decision to amend and terminate the contract,” he said at the press conference held at a hotel.

Baru, who is Selangau MP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman, said the project had not been handed over to the federal JKR as of yesterday.

He said his ministry would be obligated to supervise the development project once MoF had decided to terminate the contract and instruct federal JKR to take over the responsibility.

Last Tuesday, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had termed the Petra Jaya Hospital project as one of the ‘sick’ projects in Sarawak.

He said the RM495- million project, which commenced in May 2013, was scheduled for completion last November, but was only 35.4 per cent completed up to June this year.

He also said he had no confidence in the contractor, Zecon Medicare Sdn Bhd, meeting the deadline, which is December this year.

Dr Dzulkefly also regretted that this 300-bed hospital project had been extended for two times.

As such, he said his ministry had proposed to terminate the contractor and recommend federal JKR to take over the remaining works.

He added that “many structural works are not even completed until now” despite the extension of deadline requested by the contractor.

On Pan Borneo Highway project, Baru said it is ongoing and his ministry has no intent to review the phase one which has already been awarded in several packages for implementation.

A lawyer by profession, he said a contract that had been signed and awarded accordingly had to be honoured.

“That is phase one and various packages have been given under phase one. As to questions whether to amend its terms and conditions, I think it has to be based on the contract that has been signed,” he asserted.

He said unless there was a breach of contract, the ministry would just leave the phase one as it was.

He was quick to add that the ministry would not hesitate to step in to examine in the event of any breach of contract.

When asked about the funding, Baru said the issue came under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance ( MoF) and he could not comment on whether there would be enough funds to implement the mega project in Sarawak.

“I need to have details. I cannot respond to you ( journalists) certainly whether (the funding) is enough or not enough,” he said.

He said the ministry is concerned about the financial issue and “will look at review in the context of our economic capability and feasibility”.

“What has been awarded and signed, we leave it as such. That’s our position. As for phase two, we will see where we can come in. It is the balancing act as to the needs of the highway, which we all need.

“This is the first highway we have so far. We look at the whole project as it were. Take it from me, we will do what is best for the rakyat ( people) for the whole country,” added Baru.