The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today urged all ministries to cooperate with the Public Works Department (PWD) especially in summarizing the user requirements of construction projects.

PAC Chairman, Datuk Nur Jazlan said this is to avoid from anyone not accepting responsibility should any projects be delayed.

“We at PAC are tired of listening to the excuses given on construction problems. The excuse given by PWD is wrong as they are the executing agency.

“We cannot blame the PWD fully should delays happen as PWD is the executioner and the ministry involved is also responsible in the process.

“The situation arises when there is no coordination and clear direction given and PWD is not strong enough and they just follow. When problems occur many start pointing fingers,” said Nur Jazlan during a press conference in Parliament today after a meeting held between the representatives from the Ministry of Works, PWD and the Malaysian Highway Authority.

The meeting was held in order for the three quarters to explain the rise in construction cost of the Phase 2 of the East-Coast Expressway (LPT) which was reported in the Auditor-General’s Report last year.

Nur Jazlan remarked on the Ministry of Works attitude which pointed fingers at PWD when asked about the project.

“When problems arise, they (Ministry of Works) say that PWD is guilty although they are the project user. They should be responsible towards the project.

“When user requirements are summarized during construction, make sure there is a consultant and cooperation between the Ministry of Works and PWD. This is to ensure that the user requirements are clearly decided in order to reduce issues which may arise,” said Nur Jazlan.

Meanwhile, Nur Jazlan also explained that the LPT job scope which stretches 184 kilometres was given to PWD (70%) by open tender and the Malaysian Highway Authority (30%) through direct negotiations.

He said that the estimated cost for PWD scope of work is RM2.09 billion and for the Malaysian Highway Authority is RM1.5 billion.