8 July 2013
The Transport Ministry will set up a special committee headed by the Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi to monitor the progress of the new low-cost carrier terminal klia2 and ensure it meets the new completion deadline of April 30, 2014.
Interim Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said the RM4 billion project, which has been delayed several times, must be completed by April 30 and operational by May 2 next year.
"They (the contractors) cannot miss this deadline. It is unacceptable to not meet the deadline. As long as I am the acting minister, I will use all resources under the ministry to ensure this project is completed on time," he told reporters at a site visit last Friday.
Hishamuddin said the special committee will look into and address all the issues related to the project that could prevent airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and the contractors from meeting the new deadline, such as the cost and additions to the project such as increases in scope and size.
He said some of the factors for the delay include the changes in design, size and specifications and the special committee will brief him every week on the progress of klia2 as well as provide information to the public.
The special committee, which will include senior officers from all ministries related to the project, will also look into the need for an independent auditor to investigate further the problems that have caused the delay of klia2’s completion and its increasing cost.
"The committee’s first task is to ensure that work is done on time. All other issues such as red tape will be handled by the ministry," he said, adding that all stakeholders include the retailers and airlines must be engaged.
"Getting everyone on board is the way to move forward. Percentage of completion will be announced from time to time. Now, the focus is on the new date and work towards meeting it," he added.
Hishamuddin said the ministry had checked with all parties involved in the project whether they can meet all the requirements to complete klia2 before announcing the new completion date.
"The completion date cannot be changed again. It must be complied with…the date has been set, issues have been identified and we will follow the timeline. There is no reason this cannot be an iconic project," he said.
The cost of klia2 which ballooned from RM1.9 billion to RM4 billion was due to increases in the size and scope of the project to meet various stakeholders’ requirements. They include an increase in the terminal floor space from 150,000 square metres to 257,000 square metres and land area from 4.84 million square metres to 11.19 million square metres.
MAHB said the RM4 billion cost was inclusive of government facilities and infrastructure such as a control tower, elevated highway, express rail link platform and utilities amounting to RM600 million.
Source: www.thesundaily.my
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