29-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Aim to complete public projects ahead of time
ALOR STAR: Contractors should aim to complete public projects ahead of time, setting a new benchmark for efficiency, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
He pointed to several successful cases, including a school in Sarawak completed a year early and the SK Taman Scientex project in Johor finished six months ahead.
"Completing works ahead of schedule (AOT – Ahead of Time) is achievable and saves costs for both contractors and the government," Ahmad told reporters after visiting the Kedah Public Works Department (PWD) office here today.
Ahmad said that achieving AOT benefits contractors, the government, and the public alike.
"If they can complete works ahead of schedule — for example, three months earlier — the cost savings could be substantial.
"Additionally, the public would benefit from the services much earlier," he added.
Ahmad said that although the number of sick projects under the ministry nationwide remains relatively low at below four per cent, contractors must avoid applying for extensions of time or, worse, failing to complete government projects.
"When a project is terminated, additional costs must be requested through the Ministry of Economy, creating unnecessary financial burdens to the government.
"We want zero sick projects, because when a project becomes sick, retendering is usually required, leading to requests for additional funding — a loss for the government," he said, adding that 75 per cent of sick projects are due to contractors' shortcomings.
Previously, Ahmad was reported as saying that only 29 projects, or 3.62 per cent of the Ministry's 801 projects nationwide, had been categorised as sick projects.
Of the 29 sick projects, Ahmad said 75.86 per cent were due to contractor-related issues, while one project involved a change of scope, and six projects were delayed for various other reasons.
Therefore, he urged Public Works Department (PWD) officers responsible for supervising projects to diligently monitor and ensure work progress.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said the Kedah PWD is currently implementing 68 federal projects worth RM1.424 billion and 12 state projects worth RM852.39 million.
