Fire hazard in old wiring and water damage, Muhyiddin explains RM38.5m renovations

 

Outdated wiring of more than 20 years at Seri Perdana could pose a fire hazard if left unchanged, according to former premier Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin said the matter was among expert advice given in relation to renovations at the prime minister's official residence, aside from replacing old lighting and air conditioning systems.

“I would like to give an explanation about the renovation at Seri Perdana which was approved during my time as prime minister.

“When I first entered office in March 2020, I had received a report from the prime minister's department on physical damage to Seri Perdana, an official building,” Muhyiddin said in a statement today.

“The damage involves leaking, old lighting and worn-out floors and roofs. Leakages from the roof and pimples have caused damage to built-in furniture, wooden floors, wall panels and ceiling.

“According to experts, the wiring at Seri Perdana is more than 20 years old and could pose a fire hazard if left unchanged,” said Muhyiddin, who stepped down as prime minister but is back in government as the National Recovery Council chairperson.

Further, Muhyiddin said the Prime Minister’s Department had also suggested the purchase of new furniture to replace Seri Perdana assets, said to belong to the sixth prime minister, that had been taken away.

Renovations for safety, country's image

Commenting on the renovation costs of RM38.5 million, Muhyiddin said the bulk of the amount involve repairing physical damage to the building.

He said this was on top of Seri Perdana’s large size of over 56,000 square feet.

Muhyiddin also echoed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s explanation that the renovations were necessary because of safety and to uphold the country’s image as the residence is being used to welcome foreign guests.

“To ensure the renovation process is conducted according to set specifications and with quality results, ongoing works are being closely monitored by a task force comprising officers from the Works Department and Prime Minister’s Department,” he added.

He also stressed that he did not stay at the official residence throughout his time in office.

Ismail Sabri revealed the renovation costs in Parliament in a reply to Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar, who questioned the rationale for renovating the prime minister’s residence at a time when many are suffering due to the Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini