'It'll be Darul Runtuh until good governance comes'

Terengganu will continued to be known as the 'Darul Runtuh' state until the 'rule of good governance' can be practised by the state government, PAS said today.

In a joint statement, Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad and the state's Batu Burok assemblyperson Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi questioned the high number of building collapses that have happened in the state under the last two state administrations, both helmed by BN.

They had listed at least 15 such incidents that took place since 2008.

"Are the collapses happening because crony contractors who are not qualified are being handed contracts based on a 'know who' basis?" the PAS representatives asked.

"Are there elements of abuse of power and corruption under this state administration recently?" they added.

"Until existing laws and and the rule of good governance can be practised, the collapses in Terengganu will continue happening," they stated.

They said that the image of Terengganu people has been "tarnished" due to the building collapse incidents, and that the state would now be known as the 'Darul Runtuh' state, apart from being known as the state which produces keropok lekor, a fish-based delicacy.

In September, after the latest collapse of the Kampung Tebauk mosque in Kuala Nerus, Menteri Besar Ahmad Said labelled the state as Terengganu Darul Runtuh (state of building collapses).

The cost of the projects where these collapses occurred were estimated to be at least RM450 million in total, without taking into account several projects for which the cost has not been determined.

The other recent incidents of building collapse and construction defects in Terengganu include:

1. Saidina Abu Bakar Hall, SMK Wakaf Tapai, Marang (April 2008, cost RM2 million).

2. Roof of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Gong Badak (June 2008, cost RM292 million)

3. Leakage at a swimming pool in Batu Burok (June 2008, cost RM18 million).

4. Roof ceiling of Sultan Mahmud airport (June 2008, cost of terminal RM123 million).

5. Partial eighth floor balcony collapse at International Training Centre (ITC), Kemaman.

6. Communications tower collapses at Kampung Chegar Batang, Besut (August 2009, cost RM15 million).

7. Roof of Kampung Batu Putih mosque in Kerteh (October 2009, cost RM2.1 million).

8. Glass Roof of Kuala Berang bus terminal (December 2009, cost RM700,000).

9. A building in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) collapses during construction (March 2010).

10. A resting hut at Pasar Payang (January 2011).

11. A giant signboard collapses at UMT in Marang (July 2012).

12. Water tank of Sekolah Menengah Paka (July 2012).

13. A field’s stage roof at Taman Bandar Chukai (December 2012).

14. Stadium Sultan Mizan’s roof collapses again while being repaired (February 2013).

15. Roof of Binjai Kertas mosque in Kuala Berang (May 2013).