KUCHING: The upgrading work for the 8.1-kilometre (km) Jalan Kuching-Serian (KSR) between KM16 and KM24, here, had been implemented satisfactorily after all components of the project were completed within the permitted period.
According to the Auditor-General’s Report (LKAN) 2019 Series 2, which was tabled in Parliament today, although there were some weaknesses in managing the RM80 million project, the results were satisfactory.
“The road users are satisfied with the comfort and safety of the road and this project has boosted the economy around the area,” the report said.
The weaknesses referred to in the report related to the performance bond period not being extended in accordance with the contract; overlapping of the extension of time (EOT) period; delays in issuing Work Change Instructions (APK); and the quality and asphaltic road concrete that was not of the prescribed thickness.
To overcome these weaknesses in future, the parties involved have been recommended to ensure that the EOT applications and approvals are well managed so that there are no delays in project completion, besides all road construction works to undergo effective testing to ensure quality and meeting the specifications.
The report said the KSR project was originally proposed to be 9.2km long as part of the Pan Borneo Highway development and upgrading project in Sarawak involving work to upgrade the two-lane, two-way road to four two-way lanes.
Its implementation was approved in the 10th Malaysia Plan under the development allocation of the Works Ministry (KKR) with the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) representing KKR in monitoring the project offered to a company through a restricted tender on Oct 12, 2015.
The original completion date of the project was Aug 9, 2017, but it could not be met by the contractor due to changes to the bridge installation design, pipe diversion as well as bad weather, before the project was fully completed on Jan 28, 2019 with seven EOT approvals totalling 351 days.
The contractor had received five reminder letters, five warning letters and one show-cause letter during the project, but KKR and Sarawak JKR decided not to terminate its services due to the small amount of remaining work to be done and the contractor’s commitment to complete it.
The contractor had been liable to pay a certain and fixed compensation (Liquidated Ascertained Damages or LAD) amounting to RM3.26 million for a period of 186 days from July 27, 2018 to Jan 28, 2019, according to the report. – Bernama
