The state of Johor has given a termination notice to a highway contractor for failing to take ownership of the Senai-Desaru Expressway ramp construction site.
The RM79 million deal is for a 1,546m directional ramp to Bandar Penawar, and due to the contractor’s conduct, state EXCO Mohd Solihan Badri believes the four-year highway project will not be finished on time.
“This is an example of a contractor that does not have sound integrity…” causing a project to be postponed.
During a site inspection, he told reporters that the contractor was supposed to start construction on 6th January but had yet to do so. Two weeks have been issued to the contractor to respond to the notice.
“We will cancel the contract if the response is not convincing and without any compelling reason,” he added. “Not only did the builder refuse to take ownership of the building, but they have purchased their insurance policies only three days ago.” Other problems have not been fixed until the platform was taken over.
The project also included the expansion of the Bandar Penawar-Kota Tinggi route, according to Solihan.
The project was critical in reducing highway traffic congestion, particularly during the holiday season.
“Contractors must realise that taking ownership of the site is mandatory and construction must be finished on schedule so that taxpayers’ money is not lost, and officers’ work is not disrupted,” he said.
Aside from that, he said, the contractor’s late completion of such a project would sabotage the area’s development strategy.
