JKR should continue to handle minor works projects, says ex-DG

 

Ex-JKR director-general Roslan Taha says the prime minister must clarify what projects may be taken over by district offices and government departments. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A former public works department (JKR) director-general has voiced his disagreement with the government’s decision to allow other government agencies and district offices to handle minor works projects.

Roslan Taha said JKR’s technical expertise in repair works is recognised by federal bodies including the finance ministry, the economic planning unit, the implementation coordination unit and the national audit department.

However, other government bodies and agencies may not be similarly equipped to carry out such works, he said.

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“They have to rely on consultants, so there is no check and balance. We do not know if those consultants will give the right advice,” he told FMT.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said JKR will no longer handle minor projects like repairing dilapidated schools.

He said these projects will instead be supervised by district offices or other government departments, to allow JKR to focus on bigger projects.

Roslan said minor repair and maintenance works including changing lightbulbs, toilet repairs and the installation of signposts were already carried out by other government agencies.

He said the term “minor projects” must be properly defined as even repairing dilapidated schools is a costly exercise and requires the technical expertise.

Roslan also said he disagreed with the notion that allowing other departments to handle minor projects would allow for better transparency and efficiency.

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Procurement under JKR is subject to several layers of evaluation which also involves officials from other government departments and ministries, he said.

Roslan also said Treasury Directive 182 (AP182) states that non-technical government departments must request assistance from recognised technical departments, including JKR and the irrigation and drainage department.

“JKR has the first right of refusal, meaning JKR can pass the work (on) to other parties (but) only if they are not able to execute it,” he said. - FMT