I refer to your report Matrade: 'I wasn't involved' says Samy .

The vociferous Works Minister S Samy Vellu recently lambasted the defunct contractor for the Matrade building - Perangsang International Sdn Bhd (PISB) - for shoddy construction, undue delay and hefty increase in cost. He was adamant that the directors of PISB were still liable for the fiasco. He pledged to get into the bottom of the matter and take action against PISB directors.

It was reported that after the Matrade building contract was terminated, PISB was served to pay a 'rectification fee' of over RM44 million only in 2003. It was also reported that a year after the demand by the Public Works Department to pay compensation, PISB was sold for a song to a private limited company and subsequently wound up early this year.

For nine long years when no firm action was taken by the Works Ministry, PISB was able to dispose of all its assets and wind up with the knowledge of the relevant authorities. And now, with the shareholders and directors of PIBS off scot-free, the works minister tries to flog a dead horse.

It looks like history is repeating itself. The Matrade fiasco is not the only case in recent times. In the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) fiasco, when more than 30 concrete piers of the Kepong flyover developed structural defects after completion, the works minister appeared to be adopting a similar course of action.

In 2004, when cracks on the piers' cross-girders first appeared, he insisted that there was no flaw in the structural design and was quick to recommend a remedial-work package to rectify the defects. However, after a lot of public outcry, the remedial work was put on hold and a foreign engineering consultant was appointed to investigate the cause of the defects.

The findings of the foreign consultant revealed that the defects were due to design flaws. The MRR2 was contracted out on a design-and-build concept not unlike the Matrade building. After the findings on the MRR2, the Works Ministry should have quickly brought to book the parties responsible.

But instead, the ministry proceeded with the remedial works (costing about RM40 million) said it would get the parties responsible to reimburse it later. The repairs will be completed soon and one wonders whether the ministry has initiated any action against the parties responsible.

Or is it waiting for the responsible parties to wind up their companies, just like in the Matrade saga? If so, this is like locking the stable door after the live horse has bolted and then flogging a dead one?