Latest news with #RM900
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
USIM teaching hospital to boost Kota Tinggi development
KOTA TINGGI: The Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUSIM) project in Mukim Sedili is poised to become a key driver of development in the Kota Tinggi parliamentary constituency, according to its MP, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. Mohamed Khaled, who also serves as Defence Minister, stated that the project is currently in the planning and detailed assessment phase. 'The project is being carefully planned and reviewed. Naturally, it involves cost considerations before we proceed with the appointment of the contractor,' he said during the Kembara Lestari @ Kota Tinggi programme at Felda Lok Heng Barat. He explained that the first phase of the project will require an estimated allocation of RM900 million and is expected to significantly benefit Kota Tinggi's economy, particularly in the Sedili area. 'We expect to see progress from this initial stage within the next two to three years. It's not a matter of approving the allocation today and starting construction tomorrow,' he added. The project has also received royal endorsement, with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, expressing confidence in its potential to enhance infrastructure and local well-being. His Majesty noted that the hospital would stimulate Johor's economy and improve community welfare. - Bernama
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Borneo Post
RM900,000 road upgrade begins to ease Sibu traffic bottleneck
Tiang (second right), accompanied by other officials, inspects the ongoing road improvement project at the intersection. SIBU (July 17): A road improvement project aimed at easing traffic congestion at the Jalan Wong Soon Kai-Jalan Ling Kai Cheng-Jalan Deshon traffic light intersection has commenced this month, said State Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang. The RM900,000 project, implemented by the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), is expected to be completed within four months. 'The project involves constructing an extra 400-metre right-turn lane from Jalan Wong Soon Kai into Jalan Deshon. 'Traffic in this area is particularly heavy during peak hours when people commute to and from work,' Tiang said during a site inspection yesterday. 'We observed long queues in front of the traffic lights, so SMC proposed expanding the road by constructing a right-turn lane to Jalan Deshon. 'This addition is expected to significantly ease traffic movement along Jalan Ling Kai Cheng and Jalan Deshon.' Tiang, who was accompanied by SMC chairman Clarence Ting, expressed confidence that the project could be completed ahead of schedule, given its current progress. He also called on the Public Works Department (JKR) to implement a complementary improvement by constructing an extra right-turn lane from Jalan Deshon into Jalan Ling Kai Cheng. 'This will complement the existing project and help further resolve the bottleneck problem at the intersection,' he added. lead Michael Tiang road upgrade Sibu traffic bottleneck
The Star
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Deputy Works Minister warns contractors against seeking extensions on public projects
KOTA KINABALU: The government will no longer entertain requests for extensions of time (EOTs) from contractors involved in public infrastructure projects, as part of stricter efforts to ensure timely delivery. Issuing the firm warning, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said this directive is especially relevant to Package 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project, stressing that the delays experienced during Package 1A, which saw multiple EOT approvals, must not be repeated. 'We have learned from Package 1A. We do not want similar delays for Package 1B, which was only awarded at the end of last year. "Any delay is a loss to the people, the government, and the contractors themselves,' he told reporters during a site visit to the SK Pekan Lahad Datu project on Tuesday (July 15). Ahmad, who is on a three-day working visit to Sabah, explained that Package 1A consists of 15 work packages (WPs), while Package 1B comprises 19 WPs that were newly awarded in late 2024. He said previous experiences have shown that when one contractor is granted an EOT, others tend to follow suit, resulting in cascading delays across the entire project. 'Eventually, everyone gets an extension, and the whole project is delayed. We cannot afford for that to happen again,' he said, adding that under his administration and that of Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the ministry will not tolerate weak or fabricated excuses for EOTs. Citing examples from Package 1A, Ahmad said some contractors were given up to four or five EOTs, causing project delays of up to three years. He also reminded contractors that they are responsible for maintaining the roads under their segments during construction, not the federal road maintenance concessionaires. 'If these roads are not maintained, they will deteriorate and cause prolonged hardship for users. We do not want the public to continue suffering because of project delays,' he added. Ahmad also urged all stakeholders to focus on completing their projects AOT (ahead of time) not EOT, saying early delivery benefits all parties. 'Contractors save on operational costs, the government avoids unnecessary variation orders, and the public gets access to essential infrastructure sooner,' he said. As an example, he said if a contractor saves three months on a project with monthly operational costs of RM300,000, they stand to save RM900,000, while the government also avoids excess payments. Ahmad also reminded all stakeholders: 'Cosider this as an early warning … don't say later that you were not told. Let's avoid EOT for Package 1B and deliver on time, if not earlier.' Later, Ahmad inspected the progress on the RM29mil SK Pekan Lahad Datu upgrade project, which involves the replacement of 26 classrooms, four teachers' quarters, and various other facilities. The project, launched in April 2022, is currently 35% complete and is scheduled for completion by July 11, 2026. To prevent delays, Ahmad instructed the contractor to work overtime and recommended using Deed of Assignment (DOA) arrangements with suppliers, enabling direct government payment to speed up procurement. He also urged contractors to submit claims more than once a month and called on project officers to expedite material approvals to avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks. Ahmad also stressed that no EOT will be tolerated for the school project, and that the contractor must follow the timeline to ensure more than 1,900 students, expected to grow to 3,000, benefit from improved learning facilities on time. Established in 1937, SK Pekan Lahad Datu is one of the oldest schools in the district and currently operates in two sessions. The project is being implemented by the Public Works Department, through Special Project Team 2, with Bumi Daya Sdn Bhd as the main contractor.
Borneo Post
15-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
No more folders for patients soon as 149 health clinics in Sarawak to go paperless
Dr Sim (third right) is briefed on the paperless system. – Photo from Facebook/Dr Sim Kui Hian KUCHING (July 15): A total of 149 public health clinics statewide will transition to a paperless system this year with RM10 million in grants from the Sarawak government. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said among them is the Batu Kawa Health Clinic, which is on track to go paperless and undergo major facility upgrades as part of the state government's push to modernise healthcare services. 'A total 149 out of 271 health clinics — which handle 70 per cent of the patient load in Sarawak — will be paperless this year. Patients will no longer need to carry written folders,' he said in a Facebook post following a working visit to the clinic. Dr Sim also said that the Batu Kawa Health Clinic is undergoing an RM900,000 upgrading project, which includes expansion of its blood test laboratory, improvements to its air conditioning system, electrical works, and septic tank upgrades. He said the improvements, currently at 12 per cent completion, are on schedule and expected to be completed by December. Dr Sim also called for public understanding over any inconvenience caused during the clinic's digital transition and construction works. Batu Kawa Health Clinic Dr Sim Kui Hian paperless health clinic
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Warisan accused of politicising Sabah's O&G
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 Text Size: Gordon (left) said recent remarks by Azis (right) on Sabah's role in oil and gas were misleading and could harm public understanding. Kota Kinabalu: Warisan has been accused of politicising Sabah's oil and gas matters without understanding the industry's realities. Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Youth Exco Gordon Horace Chin said recent remarks by Warisan's Datuk Azis Jamman on Sabah's role in oil and gas were misleading and could harm public understanding. 'Azis talks about upstream involvement, but ignores that Sabah already holds significant stakes, including 50 per cent in Samarang PSC, 10 per cent in LNG9, and 25 per cent in Samur under the agreement with Petronas,' he said in a statement. He said SMJ Energy, established by the GRS-led government, has delivered RM160 million in dividends to the State and was valued at RM5 billion. Chin said oil and gas exploration comes with high risks and costs, and SMJ's approach of acquiring producing assets first was a responsible strategy. He also addressed criticisms over the RM900 million sukuk used to acquire Sabah International Petroleum (SIP), calling it a market-backed refinancing, not a bailout. 'At the time, SIP was burdened with RM1.7 billion in debt and posed a risk to Sabah Development Bank. The restructuring, rated AAA and oversubscribed nearly four times, helped avoid a financial crisis,' he said. The restructuring saved the State over RM60 million in interest in one year, and allowed the bank to resume lending. He said Warisan attempted a RM10 billion sukuk when in power but failed to secure investor confidence. Chin also refuted claims that Warisan had settled the RM1 billion bond in 2019, saying it was done through a sinking fund set up since 2014. 'Sabah is recovering from years of mismanagement. Warisan should stop misleading the public with half-truths,' he said. He urged the public to focus on long-term solutions and support efforts to stabilise the State's finances and oil and gas sector. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
