Millions poured onto klia2’s poor workmanship – Cynthia Gabriel

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) expenditure of RM76.5 million to repair defects at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) since its operation on May 2014 has certainly raised eyebrows.

It's rather astonishing to learn of this, because earlier it was reported that the construction expenses for the new terminal, ballooned from an initial estimate of about RM1.7 billion to RM 4 billion.

With a massive increase of RM2.3 billion in construction expenses for klia2 alone, it is astounding to later discover massive defects in the building of the airport.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in a written reply to Parliament, revealed an amount of RM76.5 million was spent on remedy works to address ponding issues.

His response is alarming to say the least. Further, he failed to detail the breakdown of the repairs and their costs.

C4 urges the transport minister to:

1. Disclose the contract for the construction of klia2 and provide reports on why, despite the staggering cost of RM4 billion, defects in construction which resulted in the ponding issue continue to occur in the new terminal.

2. Disclose the list of contractors and sub contractors and the criteria that led to the company being awarded the RM4 billion contract to construct the terminal; if protocols and standard operation procedures were followed.

3. Release the breakdown of the repairs for the ponding issue, which incurred the cost of RM76.5 million.

4. Reveal measures put in place to deal with errant contractors and publicize what penalties were imposed on such contractors.

5. Publicize the independent audit committee report, which was set up in January to probe safety issues surrounding klia2.

Klia2 is but a classic example of major infrastructure projects that has incurred unbridled wastage and losses due to shoddy workmanship.

The transport minister must accept responsibility over the loss of public funds, and the relevant bodies involved in this must be adequately punished.

* Cynthia Gabriel is the executive director of Centre to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4).