Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been given till next Wednesday to explain why the RM103 million new Johor police contingent headquarters (IPK) has ended up "abandoned" today.

PKR leaders Bukit Batu assemblyperson Jimmy Puah ( below ) and National Oversight and Whistleblowers (Now) director Akmal Nasir said they have paid a visit to the construction site in Johor.

"Based on our visit to the site ... in Johor Bahru that began work since 2010, it is still abandoned," said the duo in a statement today.

They said when the matter was raised at the Johor state assembly, it was informed that the construction would be completed in July 2013.

However last June, Works Minister Fadillah Yusof was reported saying the contractor has been terminated due to financial and work quality problems, but that a new contractor would take over that July.

The ministry considered the IPK, as well as a Public Order Training Centre in Bentong, Pahang and a Police Museum in Bukit Kepong, Muar as "sick projects" that needed close monitoring for failure.

The problem, said the PKR duo, attracted Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed's attention last June and had asked the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the matter.

"Unfortunately the PAC and MACC have also failed to disclose any information regarding the results of their investigation, and should at the very least give an explanation why the Johor IPK project has been delayed and till today remains abandoned," said the duo.

'Answer or face further expose'

Puah and Akmal said Zahid, as the minister ultimately responsible for the construction of police headquarters, needed to come forward to explain who the contractors were and the status of the works.

They demanded Zahid answer:

  • Who is the contractor and what were the criteria for their appointment

 

  • The current status of the construction and completion date

    •  

  • What action will be taken against the contractor for failure to meet the July 2013 completion

    •  

  • What other police construction projects elsewhere are facing delays and abandonment

    •  

  • How has the delay affected the Johor police's duties
    • "We hope Zahid Hamidi can spend a little bit of time to answer our questions," said the duo.

    "If he fails to respond satisfactorily before Wednesday, we have no choice but to follow up with further exposes."

    Puah, who is PKR Johor deputy chairperson and Akmal, PKR Youth strategic director, said the Home Ministry had a duty to ensure the completion of the police HQ for the sake of the police force and the people.