The government has been caught out for issuing conflicting statements to the auditor-general about the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) building in Bangi, which continues to be flooded whenever it rains.
A site visit by the DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming's aide showed that the foyer and basement carpark of the Information Processing Department complex was flooded last Thursday.
The building is meant for hosting data on income tax payers.
On March 13 this year, the Works Ministry had told the auditor-general that glazed walls had been constructed to prevent rain water from flooding the foyer and that repairs had been carried out to stop leaks in the basement.
The Auditor-General's Report 2012 had criticised the problem-ridden project, the cost of which has ballooned from RM68 million to RM94 million.
Construction of the building began on Feb 12, 2008. It was scheduled for completion within 643 days but ended up requiring 1,259 days.
The building was completed in October 2011. But it has yet to be occupied as it has failed to comply with Fire and Rescue Service Department’s requirements and so cannot be issued the certificate of completion and compliance.
"As you can see, the pictures we took were from last Thursday and these show that there was still flooding," said Ong who took reporters to the building on a site visit this morning.
However, he was barred from entering the premises and was told that he can only do so when accompanied by a Public Works Department (PWD) officer.
Ong, who was accompanied by Senator T Chandra Mohan, said the PWD has assured him of admission on Thursday when the Fire and Rescue Service Department conducts an inspection.
He said the constant flooding has led to deterioration, with parts of the building becoming mouldy or rusted.
Furthermore, even though the building is not operational, a utility bill of RM758,400 has been incurred for the period from November 2011 to last month.
"This is because the lights need to be turned on at night and there are also security guards guarding the place," Ong said.
A site visit by the DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming's aide showed that the foyer and basement carpark of the Information Processing Department complex was flooded last Thursday.The building is meant for hosting data on income tax payers.
On March 13 this year, the Works Ministry had told the auditor-general that glazed walls had been constructed to prevent rain water from flooding the foyer and that repairs had been carried out to stop leaks in the basement.
The Auditor-General's Report 2012 had criticised the problem-ridden project, the cost of which has ballooned from RM68 million to RM94 million.
Construction of the building began on Feb 12, 2008. It was scheduled for completion within 643 days but ended up requiring 1,259 days.
The building was completed in October 2011. But it has yet to be occupied as it has failed to comply with Fire and Rescue Service Department’s requirements and so cannot be issued the certificate of completion and compliance."As you can see, the pictures we took were from last Thursday and these show that there was still flooding," said Ong who took reporters to the building on a site visit this morning.
However, he was barred from entering the premises and was told that he can only do so when accompanied by a Public Works Department (PWD) officer.
Ong, who was accompanied by Senator T Chandra Mohan, said the PWD has assured him of admission on Thursday when the Fire and Rescue Service Department conducts an inspection.He said the constant flooding has led to deterioration, with parts of the building becoming mouldy or rusted.
Furthermore, even though the building is not operational, a utility bill of RM758,400 has been incurred for the period from November 2011 to last month.
"This is because the lights need to be turned on at night and there are also security guards guarding the place," Ong said.
Additional costs
In addition, the LDBH has incurred another RM7.05 million over the same period because it has been forced to continue renting its current premises in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur.
"The wastage will ultimately be borne by taxpayers. Therefore I urge the prime minister to address such wastage before even considering implementing the Goods and Services Tax," he said.
The Auditor-General’s Report 2012 outlined several other problems at the Bangi LHDN building. The project was awarded to SN Akimida Holdings Sdn Bhd.
These include "impractical design" which will result in high cost of maintenance due to the extensive glass walls that require skylifts to clean.
Furthermore, the use of glass walls for the server room have rendered them unusable as servers require a stable air-conditioned environment and cannot be exposed to sunlight.
The report also noted that LHDN had paid RM529,733 to four consultant companies for the building in 2003 but that the project was put on hold in 2006.
When the project finally started in 2008, the consultants’ reports were no longer usable, which means that the money was paid for nothing.
In addition, the LDBH has incurred another RM7.05 million over the same period because it has been forced to continue renting its current premises in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur.
"The wastage will ultimately be borne by taxpayers. Therefore I urge the prime minister to address such wastage before even considering implementing the Goods and Services Tax," he said.
The Auditor-General’s Report 2012 outlined several other problems at the Bangi LHDN building. The project was awarded to SN Akimida Holdings Sdn Bhd.These include "impractical design" which will result in high cost of maintenance due to the extensive glass walls that require skylifts to clean.
Furthermore, the use of glass walls for the server room have rendered them unusable as servers require a stable air-conditioned environment and cannot be exposed to sunlight.
The report also noted that LHDN had paid RM529,733 to four consultant companies for the building in 2003 but that the project was put on hold in 2006.
When the project finally started in 2008, the consultants’ reports were no longer usable, which means that the money was paid for nothing.
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