New parliament ICT funds cut

5-billion-baht cost hike raises suspicions

The House of Representatives yesterday decided to reduce the cost of Information and communication technology (ICT) systems for the new parliament following heavy opposition from the cabinet.

House of Representatives secretarygeneral Surasak Pianwej yesterday said the 8-billion-baht budget will be brought down. He did not elaborate how much the reduction will be but insisted that the cost cutting would not affect communication in the complex.

“After opposition from the cabinet, we may no longer need to have pricey equipment such as microphones, televisions or clocks. All aspects in the project will be reconsidered in order to cut costs properly,” Mr Surasak said.

“I think we can’t afford to have 4K [ultra-high definition televisions known as UHD TVs] and need to remain in the digital and analog eras,” he said.

Advanced wireless technology in communication devices was initially required to modernise the parliament and prevent electrocution in meeting rooms.

Concerns over delays regarding the system’s installation which must be completed before nailing the ceiling boards at the new parliament were also raised.

A letter from Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc claimed that the company would demand compensation from the state if it had to remove ceiling boards already installed.

Mr Surasak said he asked the company to suspend ceiling work pending approval of the new budget.

The senators’ meeting room is scheduled for completion this year while another meeting room for members of the House of Representatives will be finished next March.

Other offices and rooms are also expected to be completed by February of next year.

However, new parliament project adviser Chotjutha Ajsorn said yesterday that the IT system installation would be postponed three or four months. The installation could start in August or September of next year instead of February.

The construction of the new parliament complex on Kiakkai Road has drawn critics as the cost of the ICT has ballooned to 8 billion baht from the 3 billion initially proposed in 2013.

The request drew objections from leaders including Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha and National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Witchitcholchai who voiced suspicions over the high cost.

Suchart Rojthongkham, deputy secretary-general of the House of Representatives and chairman of a committee overseeing the project, said he instructed Merlin’s Solutions International, a contractor procuring the IT system, to draw up new plans with lower costs.

All plans will be considered by the committee who will finalise a decision by next week.

Mr Suchart called for understanding over inclusion of high-quality equipment like precision clocks. These devices are important for the safety of people in buildings especially in emergency cases in which an ambulance is called.

The cost-reduction will be carried out with impact of changes to safety for everyone who works at the parliament in mind.

Pornthep Ruethaichareonlab, manager of the ICT system from Merlin’s Solutions International Co Ltd, said the company would propose new ICT plans to meet a lower budget by 10%.

“It is certain that we don’t have only one plan but several for the secretariat’s consideration to determine how much the agency wants to cut the cost,” he said, admitting lower budget meant lowerspec devices.

As a contractor, Mr Pornthep said the firm procured ICT equipment including microphones, clocks and televisions in accordance with a request from the secretariat.

In addition, all devices were European brands which are are more durable and last longer, he added.