Contracts the reason why there is flooding
Published on: Sunday, March 05, 2023
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The Tenghilan shops
The report said ‘Jeffery was satisfied that works are being done to alleviate the problem with a comprehensive plan worth RM3 billion already in place.”
Among the areas affected was Tenghilan town, about 55 km from Kota Kinabalu, which was hit hard by the floods recently.
Let me tell you my experience in cleaning the drains in Tenghilan town. In 2016 I was employed by a firm which got the contract to supervise drain cleaning in many towns such as Tuaran, Tamparuli as well as Tenghilan.
Questions we need answers to are:
(i.) Who got the contract to do the cleaning job?Answer: Some politician.
(ii.) Who actually did the cleaning?
(iii.) Why was the job now awarded to the contractor directly?
The cleaning work done by the firm, which was run by a bankrupt, was never done properly. I complained directly to the company that there was mud under the drain covers and was told not to bother with it and to get rid of mud only where it is noticeable.
(Note: The insolvency department was informed about involvement in companies despite him being a bankrupt and not paying creditors who had sued him. The insolvency department appears to be dragging its feet on this.
Questions I would like to ask Jeffrey are:
1. What inspection work did he do? Just look at the flood and ask for allocation?
2. Why are the shophouses in Tenghilan allowed to make extension rooms over the drains behind the shophouses? The drains are all covered thus making it impossible to clean the drains by contractors employed.
3. Did the politicians who received the contracts do the cleaning, report the matter about the illegal construction over the drains?
4. What has the local authorities done about the illegal extensions?
5. Does DID close its eyes in all such matters?
If we continue giving out contracts to politicians who then sub out the work to the actual contractors the cost of cleaning drains and maintenance will continue to be high and the shoddy works done by contractor will continue.
It is the citizens who will continue suffering endlessly.
Luqman Michel
- The views expressed here are the views of the writer Luqman Michel and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.
- If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
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