MP: Govt quotation for solar street lights 5 times over market price

Julau MP Larry Sng has questioned the government quotation for solar street lights under a project led by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which was listed as five times more than the market price.

When debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in Parliament yesterday, Sng suggested that the project to establish solar street lights in rural Sabah and Sarawak would be more cost-effective if conducted through independently run community initiatives (gotong-royong) instead of being directly administered by the ministry.

“For example, the ministry quoted RM10,000 for the price of one single lamp, when in fact, the price for a solar lamp of 1,000 megawatts (sic) actually costs less than RM2,000, including its installation,” he said.

He suggested that the ministry instead facilitate funding through grants worth no more than RM500,000 for solar street lights to be installed through local community-run projects.

This mechanism, he explained, can help reduce costs without compromising on quality, is less time-consuming, and would allow rural constituencies to improve their infrastructure without depending on the ministry.

‘Completed in 6 days, less than half price’

Sng also cited previous examples of successful community-led projects within his constituency, where road infrastructure had been improved within a short period of time, and for less than RM500,000 in total.

“In 2019, for example, a road construction project was tendered for Jalan Ulu Kota, Julau, for RM300,000, and it failed to be completed on time. Eventually, the project had to be re-tendered several times and was finally completed in 2023.

“However, in comparison to roadworks in Entabai this year, we offered them funding worth RM200,000 for the community-led project, and it was completed within only six days, with comparable quality and by independent contractors,” he added.

The MP further urged the federal government to consider increasing the endowment to at least RM1 million for MPs in rural constituencies to support similar community-led infrastructure projects.

‘New subsidies should be eventually phased out’

Under the 13MP, construction and upgrading works for 2,800km of rural roads will be carried out, including in Sarawak, Perak, and Pahang.

The government is to give special focus to positioning Sabah and Sarawak as the country’s sustainable energy hubs, competitive at the regional level.

The MP also expressed support for the government’s latest subsidies introduced under the 13MP. However, he urged the government to also establish a concrete timeline for gradually reducing these subsidies within the next few years.

Sng suggested that the government should set a target for gradual reductions before 2030, and explained that long-term subsidies would lead to market manipulation and supply chain issues.

A phased reduction in subsidies, he said, would allow the public and supply chain operators to plan ahead more effectively.

MP condemns MOE for blocking school facilities construction plans

DAP MP urges Putrajaya to rethink new EPF mechanism plan

Radzi presses govt for full breakdown of 104 public-private projects

'Fadhlina unfit for the job,' PAS Youth chief moots Asyraf as education minister

Nik Nazmi: Act against Pasti over low teacher pay, lack of protections

Indigenous groups seek recognition to land rights, leadership role