Former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin has urged the Public Works Department (JKR) and the contractor for the Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy to take responsibility for the many defects found on the site.
Yesterday, Khairy’s successor Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman visited the RM85 million facility and found an empty gym, a leaky ceiling, defective hydrotherapy pools and classrooms void of tables and chairs.
When queried on who should take responsibility for these defects, Khairy pointed his finger at the contractor and JKR.
“We need to look to two parties – the contractor, and the agency that implemented the project, which was JKR,” he said after an event in Melawati this morning.
During his time in office, Khairy said, he inspected the facility multiple times and had raised concerns similar to Syed Saddiq's.
Tiada kemudahan wifi buat staf dan juga pelajar AMD. Nak buka internet pun kena duduk kat tangga sebab nak cari line. Dalam bilik tak dapat. pic.twitter.com/UXchtAh65d
Hanya lebih kurang 2 sahaja kelas yang lengkap dengan meja dan kerusi. Kelas yang lain kosong. Kosong. pic.twitter.com/8kvy0Xyd5Y
He questioned why such defects had yet to be resolved, and further queried why the present minister had not been alerted of these problems earlier.
“Many of the problems (Syed Saddiq) raised were the same as what I highlighted before this, what I want to know is why was this issue not brought to the minister’s attention in the past few months?
“And when I visited the academy, I had asked JKR and the contractor to fix these problems. But as we saw in yesterday’s report, many things have not been resolved yet,” he added.
In an immediate response, Syed Saddiq urged against pointing fingers against anyone, including Khairy.
“I just want to do my job. If there is wrongdoing, we will not compromise, but don’t be quick to speculate this as wrongdoing by A, B or C. We will get to the bottom of this together, Insya Allah.
"I don’t understand why some seek to demonise my predecessor to promote the work which I am doing today.
“For us to move forward, we can’t keep looking to the past. I respect and will never downplay the good work done by Khairy. The future is my priority,” he tweeted.
Contractor appointed via direct tender
When pressed by the media, Khairy admitted today that he had previously appointed the contractor in question through direct tender.
“The contractor was appointed (for phase two of the project) when I was the minister because they were the ones who built phase one, which was before my time and done through direct tender.
“So I also appointed them through direct tender as they were the contractors for phase one,” answered the Rembau MP.
Khairy added that defects in government projects were a “normal” occurrence, and said the project remained within the defect liability period.
“That’s why you have a defect liability period where the contractor comes in, and if you notice any defects, they are supposed to correct the defects at no cost to the government,” he said.
'Go ahead and investigate'
After the inspection yesterday, Syed Saddiq had vowed to lodge a MACC report to urge an investigation into the facility, Bernama reported.
Khairy said he was open to being probed.
“Go ahead, I am open in the matter. (As the minister) I was only responsible in getting funding to ensure the project was developed.
“If there had been any discrepancies or suspicions of leakages, this can be reported,” he said today.
The academy was launched in 2014 by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak. It was opened for use earlier this year. -Mkini
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