NEW CONTRACTOR TO BE APPOINTED FOR DELAYED PULAU MABUL FOB PROJECT BY OCT 16 - KDN

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry (KDN) will select a new contractor to complete the delayed Forward Operating Base (FOB) project on Pulau Mabul in Semporna, with a decision expected on Oct 16 at the Public Works Department (PWD) Rehabilitation Board meeting.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the ministry and the state government will work together with the PWD to ensure that the appointed contractor can complete the construction of the main building, personnel quarters, and jetty.

"I would like to inform that the delay in completing the project was due to the late construction of the jetty, with actual progress recorded at zero per cent compared to the scheduled 11 per cent.

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"This was due to delays in conducting seabed surveying works for gazettement purposes. However, that process was completed on June 22, 2023," he said in his winding-up speech in response to points raised during the debate on the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 3/2025 involving the Federal Government Financial Statement 2024 for the Home Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He added that the delay increased project costs by RM28.7 million, and KDN decided to utilise monies from the cancellation of the Sabah Sea Surveillance System (SWASLA) Phase 2 project in Sandakan and Malawali to cover the additional expenses.

Shamsul Anuar said the original contractor was terminated in September 2023 after an audit revealed that no construction activity had taken place at the site due to a lack of workers since June of that year, despite several reminder letters issued by the consulting supervision team prior to the termination.

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He added that project monitoring mechanisms have since been enhanced, with the involvement of ministry and state government representatives in every site meeting, biannual monitoring, and the use of the C-Plan integrated enterprise system by PWD to ensure close supervision of project quality and progress.

Regarding the maintenance of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) ships and boats, Shamsul Anuar said that RM229 million is allocated annually for the repair and maintenance of the agency's 35 vessels.

"The MMEA operates 237 maritime assets in the Strait of Malacca, South China Sea, and Sulu Sea to ensure effective enforcement," he said.

He added that, under the Malaysian Maritime Strategic Plan 2020, the MMEA is targeting a fleet of 116 patrol vessels, 96 medium-sized ships, 20 large vessels, and 228 boats measuring less than 20 metres in length to meet operational needs.

As of Sept 30, a total of 35 MMEA vessels are over 30 years old, and the agency is implementing a refurbishment and phased asset replacement programme.

-- BERNAMA