Police training centre construction delayed
> RM12.8m hike in project cost, says auditor-general
PETALING JAYA: Construction of a police training centre was delayed by seven years and the project cost increased by RM12.88 million, the Auditor-General’s report said.
Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang (pix) said the extension of time for the first contract was approved seven months after the original completion date. He said the “Single Roof and One Stop Centre”, which would consist of eight training institutions, was approved under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and had a ceiling cost of RM150 million.
The training institution was for the General Operations Force, Special Operations Command, Federal Reserve Unit, Traffic, Crime Prevention, United Nations Peacekeeping Force, Crisis and Disaster and Armour Driving School.
Ambrin, in the second series of his 2015 report, said the project cost for the second contract had increased inappropriately to RM12.88 million, including RM3.8 million for electricity costs.
He added that this was due to the consultant’s failure in assessing the remaining works which had resulted in additional scope of work.
He also criticised the Home Ministry and the Public Works Department (PWD), the implementing agencies, for a 14-month delay in issuing the Final Statement of Determination of the Contractors Employment after the appointment of the saviour contractor.
He said Malgran Resources Sdn Bhd had been appointed by the Finance Ministry through direct negotiations to build the first phase of the training centre, the PGA Learning Centre, at a 520ha-site in Bentong, Pahang.
Ambrin said the learning centre was to consist of a lecture complex, cafeteria, saluting dais and drill shed, participant accommodation, dining and prayer hall, quarters, workshops, oil pump, security post, ammunition store, toilets, shooting range and others.
He said the work progress was unsatisfactory and among the causes of the delay was management problems and the contractors’ inability to complete the project.
He pointed out that construction management was unsatisfactory due to disorderly construction procedures, inappropriate design and unsatisfactory work quality.
He also said there was ineffective monitoring by the PWD, Home Ministry and consultant.
Ambrin advised the Home Ministry and PWD to learn from the issues that arose in the project.