FEBRUARI 2023
Six New Measures Introduced to Enhance Construction Industry: Premier
KUCHING, Wed: Sarawak’s Premier, Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg today said Sarawak Government had approved six new measures to enhance Sarawak’s construction industry.
He pointed out that to incentivize the construction sector and further to the incorporation of new and varied items in the Variation of Price (VOP) list, the Sarawak Government had agreed to the new measures as follows:
(i) Advance Payment for works contract;
(ii) Allowing up to 3 payments to be made without the contract documents in the first 4 months of the contract period;
(iii) Lower rate of Liquidated and Ascertained Damages imposed;
(iv) Lower Minimum Payment as well as other measures to alleviate projects majorly and adversely affected by the price hikes;
(v) Extension of Time (EOT) for projects with progress of at least 60% based on the works programme; and
(vi) Mutual Termination subject to prevailing criteria imposed.
“These are measures effected to minimise or even eradicate critically delayed projects, to assist contractors’ project cashflows as well as to achieve that “win-win” situation for all parties under Sarawak Government contracts,” he said.
He said these when speaking to officiate at a seminar to enhance Sarawak’s construction organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development at BCCK, here.
He told seminar participants that according to JKR report as of 27 January 2023, out of 215 projects under construction, 34 projects were critically delayed, 29 projects behind schedule and 149 projects on schedule.
He said he also received feedbacks during the State Development Coordination Committee Meetings (SDMC) where the last two briefings were held in Bintulu Division and recently in Kapit Division. The next meeting will be in Miri Division,” he said.
“After being briefed by the respective implementing agencies in the respective areas, I noticed that there are many issues and challenges encountered on the ground including the contractors’ lack of commitment and poor performance, for example:
(i) Limbang Museum (delayed for about 1 year);
(ii) Upgrading of Five Roundabouts Along Kuching-Samarahan Expressway (delayed for 2 years)
(iii) Marudi Bridge Over Batang, Baram (delayed for approximately 3 years)
(iv) Jalan Lubok Tranggas to Kpg Gedong, Samarahan (delayed for 1 year); and
(v) Jalan Kampung Medong/Lebrassau/ Kampung Klid, Daerah Dalat, Bahagian Mukah (delayed for 2 years),” he told the participants comprised of officials from the relevant agencies, contractors and stakeholders.
He pointed out that the ability of the implementing agencies must commensurate with the recent approval by the federal government for technical departments in Sarawak to be empowered to implement federal projects worth RM50 million and below.
“I asked for the devolution of power and we must prove we are able to implement such projects,” he said.
Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development ( MIPD) spoke earlier.
Among those present were Deputy Ministers of MIPD, Datuk Majang Renggi and Ir. Aidel Lariwoo.
Sumber dari : Sarawakku