Sarawak JKR addresses uproar over RM50,000 wooden jetty

 

The RM50,000 bill for the wooden jetty at Kampung Mutap in Bekenu, Sarawak, is justified, says the state JKR.

PETALING JAYA: The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) has sought to address the uproar over the construction of a RM50,000 wooden jetty in Kampung Mutap, Bekenu.

JKR said the estimated cost took into account various factors, including cost of the “belian” timber, road access to Kampung Mutap, logistics and safety.

In a statement, it said the cost to build the jetty was based on its schedule of rates for 2020, with the belian timber used for the construction priced at RM9,000 per metre cube. This was lower than the current market rate, it said.

It was responding to criticism on social media, with many questioning the quality of the construction, and alleging cronyism.

They claimed the jetty could be constructed for far less, with some quoting as little as RM5,000 based on their own calculations.

JKR said it first proposed a steel jetty but the village chief preferred belian timber instead.

It said the design requested by the village chief during a site visit was a 30m-long jetty with a timber hut.

“Our officer informed the village chief that her request was not possible due to the limited budget. She agreed that we design the jetty as per the allocated budget,” it said. - FMT