Freak weather was one of the reasons quoted for the untimely collapse of a jetty that is part of an RM5.99 million tourism development on Pulau Perhentian Kecil in Besut Terengganu.

Construction on the walkway node system with a jetty attached began in 2007, as part of plans to promote the Hybrid Solar site on the small island as a stopover for environmental tourism.

Auditor general's report collapsed jetty - besut The project was delayed three times for a total of 240 days, because the contractor faced problems building to planned design and acquiring building supplies and transporting them to the island.

Work on the walkway, scheduled to end in July 2008, was only ended in March 2009.

However, complaints were received by the Besut Public Works Department (PWD) in February 2011 that the jetty had collapsed.

Besut PWD's subsequent investigation found that the collapse was because of:

  • "Impractical" quality of grouting, concrete and "micropile" piling works;
  • Design change reducing socketed micropile piling length from 6 metres to 3 metres;and,
  • Unusual weather conditions.
A joint visit by the National Audit Department and Besut PWD officials eight months later in October, 2011 found the jetty still unrepaired.

Shutting door after horses bolt

In its May 31 reply to the Auditor-General's office the Besut PWD said that it had written to the contractor to repair the collapsed jetty, with no action taken by the builder till now.

The department is also asking for additional funds from the state for repair works, with part of the cost to be deducted from the retention amount still withheld from the contractor.

Besut PWD is also mulling legal action against the construction company responsible.

The Pulau Perhentian Kecil public walkway to the hybrid solar site is one of seven of Terengganu's tourism development projects scrutinised by the Auditor-General's Office in its 2011 audit.

Of these, three were severely delayed leaving tour and chalet operators high and dry as they were unable to use the facilities as scheduled.

The delayed projects are the walkway to the hybrid solar site on Pulau Perhentian above and:

  • Public walkway from Pasir Panjang to the village on Pulau Redang; and,
  • Sewer construction works at Pasir Panjang in Pulau Redang.
NONE The Pasir Panjang walkway was delayed for 475 days while the sewer construction works were extended for 237 days.

Two other projects experienced severe damage which rendered them useless as well. The two are the Pulau Perhentian hybrid solar site walkway and the sewer construction works in Pasir Panjang.

As mentioned above, the jetty at the Pulau Perhentian walkway collapsed while the Pasir Panjang sewer experienced burst septic tanks.

The Auditor-General's Office had advised the state government to have better planning to truly benefit from tourism development projects and ensure make proper lines of communication between state agencies and contractors to avoid delays.

The state PWD was also told to monitor such facilities so that damage can be spotted and repaired as early as possible and to increase its surveillance of on-going projects to ensure that they are up to specifications.