Majlis Permuafakatan Rakyat Terengganu (Mampat) has blamed Umno-linked contractors for shoddy work on several new buildings in the state that have come to grief.

"We call these contractors OKU or Orang Kuat Umno (Umno supporters) " said its president Mohamad Fauzi Abdullah in a phone interview.

He was asked to comment on the collapse of the roof of the RM4.2 million bus terminal in Kuala Berang yesterday. Media reports today said the collapse of the 150m long skylight could be due to shoddy workmanship.

Mampat, a NGO fighting for the rights of the people of the state, has taken on the task of monitoring botched building projects.

Mohamad Fauzi claimed that the Umno-linked contractors enjoy a cosy relationship with politicians.

"They do not do their work diligently for the good of the people, but only for political gain. The low quality of most projects in the state is due to these contractors," he said, without naming them.

He also pointed to the fact that most of the projects are being awarded and implemented under the 'wang ehsan' (compassionate fund) programme, under the auspices of the Jabatan Pembangunan Persekutuan (JPP or Federal Development Department).

Concerns had been raised previously that use of the JPP to channel federal development funds to the state would lead to corruption and the feeding of political cronies with government projects.

Recent structural failures

Work on the Kuala Berang bus terminal falls under the jurisdiction of the Hulu Terengganu district council.

The website states that its departments of building control and civil engineering are entrusted with monitoring the progress of building projects, as well as to approve and monitor the quality of materials and construction work.

collapsed half of roof of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu When contacted today, personnel from each department were not available for comment. A staff member said those in charge are out in the field.

Recent problems with other new buildings in the state:

  • RM300 million Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium - part of the roof collapsed in June

  • RM18 million Aquatic Centre in Batu Burok - closed in July due to leaks in the canvas roof and rusting steel supports

  • RM123 million Sultan Mahmud airport terminal - defects found on the roof in July

  • Masjid Kampung Batu Putih in Kemaman - the roof collapsed in October

  • Besut Islamic Centre - roof tiles were dislodged in recent weeks

The first three buildings were about a year old when they were affected.