By Jamilah Kamarudin
KUALA LUMPUR: The King’s safety may be at stake if the government continues to allow Ahmad Zaki Resources Berhad to remain as the main contractor of the new RM811 million palace in Jalan Duta.
DAP’s Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming said the possibility was high considering the company was also the principal contractor in the botched RM280 million Mizan Zainal Abidin stadium in Kuala Terengganu. The stadium collapsed after 10 months of completion.
“We are worried for the safety of the King. What if the roof collapses while His Majesty is having breakfast in the dining hall, as did the roof of the Terengganu stadium.
“It would be a very embarrassing tragedy for the country,” he told newsmen yesterday evening.
In view of this, Nga has urged the Works Ministry to explain why a contractor with a bad reputation and track record was appointed to construct the palace.
“I want to ask Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor why he is awarding Ahmad Zaki Resources the contract when he himself once said contractors with problems will be blacklisted and not offered any public projects,” he said.
Umno-BN white elephant?
Nga also wanted the ministry to explain the government’s plans for the existing palace which was refurbished in 1999 at the cost of RM70 million.
“In 1999 the government spent RM70 million to renovate the current palace. This was money from taxes that the rakyat paid. We want to know what the plans are for the palace.
“We want a firm answer from the government…we don’t want to see this turn into another Umno-Barisan Nasional white elephant,” he said.
On Monday, Parliament was told that the new palace would now cost RM811 million, double the amount projected in 2006, when it was first announced.
Deputy Works Minister Yong Khoon Seng said the contract was awarded to three companies – Ahmad Zaki Resources Berhad, Maya Maju Sdn Bhd and Kejuruteraan Kenari Sdn Bhd.
He said the projects were not awarded on an open tender basis.-FMT
