Combat training pool in Kem Iskandar almost ready

PUTERI: The long-delayed combat training pool at Kem Iskandar in Mersing could be completed by June, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The Johor Mentri Besar said the state government is closely monitoring the project’s progress to ensure timely completion.

He was responding to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia’s call for an explanation on the delay of the combat training pool project, which was supposed to be completed in 2022.

Onn Hafiz said, after the inauguration of the first cross-border electric bus service provider, that many projects had been given the extensions of time (EOT) while stressing the need for better project monitoring to prevent cost overruns and delays.

Johor works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the combat training pool is 98% complete, with final touches remaining.

“The cost of the project is estimated at Rm23.7mil. So far, Rm22.2mil has been paid to the contractor,” he said.

Mohammed Fazli said the six EOTS were granted due to the movement control orders and technical issues such as delays in getting approvals.

Sultan Ibrahim, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018, noticed that the project signboard had been removed from the construction site.

In a Facebook post on Monday, His Majesty demanded an explanation from the Johor Public Works Department and Mersing district engineers on the signboard’s removal and ordered its re-installation.

In a Bernama report, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin attributed the delay to problems with the appointed sub-contractor, necessitating a new tender process.

Despite setbacks, the combat training pool remains essential for enhancing the capabilities of the 21st Special Service Group in maritime threat response.