By KUCHING: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) wants to review the work process of the state JKR (Public Works Department) as part of the efforts to minimise the occurrence of sick projects.
It’s Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said today the department had already a sophisticated standard operating procedure yet the problem had still existed.
He said this when witnessing the handing over of responsibilities from the Ministry retiring Permanent Secretary Datuk Safri Zainudin to his successor Chiew Chee Yau.
The ceremony, held at the Wisma Bapa Malaysia, was witnessed by Uggah’s two deputy ministers Datuk Majang Renggi and Ir. Aidel Lariwo and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and his two deputies Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Marzuki and Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.
Also present were JKR acting director Richard Tajan and a Political Secretary to Premier Dr Richard Rapu.
“Despite this sophisticated SOP, there are currently 84 sick projects in the state. The question is why is this still happening?
“It is extremely critical they can eventually be completed because the rakyat and the government have very high expectations for JKR and the ministry to deliver.
“So, our priority is to come with action plans to ensure they will be successfully implemented,” said Uggah who is Deputy Premier.
Uggah said it was not only the MIPD or the JKR that were entrusted to deliver but all agencies under the ministry.
“All must work closely together. The successful completion will spur further economic growth and will improve the people livelihoods,” he said.
Uggah was confident, under Chiew and with his vast working experiences in JKR, he could help the ministry, JKR and all other agencies to raise to the occasion.
Uggah added there were about 9,000 projects worth more than RM48billion and five ports under the Ministry’s watch.
On another related issue he said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg too wanted the MIPD to review the overall policies, development and strategies of the five ports.
“These ports are very crucial… they are arteries of the state’s further growth. Sarawak envisages a six to eight per cent growth in its Post Covid 19 Development Strategy 2030.
“This depends a lot on our ports efficiency, development and the ability to offer world class service to our clients, most of whom are foreign investors. So, we too must plan out our strategies to achieve this target,” he said.
Safri who is retiring today, has been the ministry’s permanent secretary for 13 years. He has served in the state civil service for 40 years, beginning as an engineer at the JKR headquarters in Kuching and had served in Sibu and Kapit Divisions.
His successor Chiew started as an executive engineer with a private firm before joining the JKR in August, 1999.
He too had served in various capacities in Sri Aman and in the department, headquarters including a stint as a project manager for the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak.
In March 2020 he was appointed as acting deputy director of the department.
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