A startling revelation has surfaced from the rubble of the collapsed Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium roof.

Even before the dust has settled, a construction industry source revealed that the Public Works Department has yet to issue a Work Completion Certificate for the ill-fated stadium in Terengganu.

Despite this, the one-year-old RM300 million stadium diced with danger by hosting several sporting events including last year's Sukma games.

It was also slated to host a university staff track-and-field meet starting today. Fortunately, no event was being held at the stadium when the roof came crashing down at 7.30am yesterday.

stadium sultan mizan gong badak 020609 It involved 60 percent of the stadium's roof, including the portion above the grandstand and royal box.

The source told Malaysiakini that building projects under PWD required a 'Work Completion Certificate' from the department.

The certificate for this stadium was still pending.

The complete certificate was to be issued in three stages.

First, for the stadium facilities which encompasses the field, track and courts. Second, for the external landscaping, and third the stadium structure which includes the roof.

The first two stages were given the green light by PWD. But the last stage was still on hold as they were still awaiting reports from the contractors.

One of the pending reports concerns the roof, which PWD had voiced concern over when the stadium was handed to them last May.

According to the source, PWD has yet to receive the report.

'Roof sagging more than usual'

"As soon as the stadium was handed over, PWD noticed that something was wrong. The profile of the roof should have been straight as in a smooth curvature, but this roof was slightly sagging.

"When the contractors were questioned, they said that it was a part of the design and it was allowed for," said the source.

collapsed half of roof of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu He later explained that a phenomenon called deflection was usual in a building where there was space for tall building to 'move' but stressed that sagging was bad sign.

Most buildings can deflect around one to two feet, he said, citing examples of highrises in Kuala Lumpur "where the structure can deflect about one foot".

Three local contractors participated in this project but as the roof required specialists, the building of the roof was given to Korean contractors who designed, built and supervised its construction.

The source also said that the public was allowed to use the stadium because the Korean contractors had given PWD a guarantee of safety.

"They (the contractors) said that it (the roof) appears that way as it is part of the design and it was safe," he said.

The source also revealed that because the project is still under a 'guarantee period', there are means for PWD to withhold payment for the contractor such as through progress payment and performance bonds.

According to him, PWD has yet to settle the full payment for the project.

MB orders inspection of new buildings

The multi-million-ringgit stadium, the biggest stadium in the east coast, was built to host the 2008 Sukma Games from May 31 to June 6.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is also reportedly investigating the matter to determine if there were any elements of graft and mismanagement.

In a related development, Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said has ordered an immediate inspection of all newly-completed buildings in the state.

He said the checks would focus on detecting structural defects, cracks and shoddy workmanship.

Some of the new buildings are the indoor stadium, Sultan Mahmud Airport and swimming complex.