16 QUIZZED OVER SCHOOL HALL
Statements of parties involved in bidding process recorded, says MACC
MUHAMMAD APENDY ISSAHAK IPOH news@nst.com.my
THE Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission ( MACC) has recorded the statements of 16 people over the construction of SMK Hutan Melintang’s hall in Bagan Datuk near here
State MACC director Datuk Zainul Darus said they were from the state Public Works Department (PWD), contractors and other parties.
He said the investigation was into the hall’s bidding process that involved the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department.
“Perak MACC is investigating. We have recorded the statements of some witnesses who are connected with the hall’s construction, including the state PWD and ICU.
“We will check whether its construction adhered to compliance specifications.”
Zainul said the project was monitored by Perak PWD, which acted as a consultant on its technical aspects.
He said MACC would request the Valuation Department to carry out a valuation on the project.
“We have carried out a physical inspection on the hall with the Valuation Department and we expect to get the reports soon.
“The statements from six witnesses have yet to be recorded as they are outstation, but we will call them.”
He said the investigation was ongoing and it was too early to determine whether there were elements of corruption or abuse of power in the hall’s construction.
It was reported last month that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was incensed at the quality of the hall, which had been built at a cost of RM600,000.
He called on MACC to get to the bottom of the matter and gave the contractor three months to repair the hall, which he said brought shame to him as Bagan Datuk member of parliament.