MPs Vent Frustration At Works Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The Works Ministry came under fire in the Dewan Rakyat for among others rural road projects that had yet to start, were delayed or not upgraded.
Most of the MPs who spoke during winding up of debate on the Supply Bill 2009 concerning the ministry wanted definitive answers as to when the problems involving its projects would be resolved.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), who opened the salvo, asked why the Kapit-Sibu road, which was listed in the Eight Malaysia Plan (8MP), had yet to take off.
"The government has promised it would be built in 2002 but until now although RM30 million has been approved for it, nothing has been done. We don't even know whether the project is still on," he said.
Others who voiced similar concerns were Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat), Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (Pas-Hulu Langat) and Teo Nee Ching (DAP-Serdang).
Apart from the issue of roads, the 10 per cent discount for post-midnight user by highway operator Plus also drew plenty of flak with most MPs wanting it to be reviewed.
Khalid Abdul Samad (Pas-Shah Alam) said the discount "made no sense at all".
Mohd Puad asked for the discount to be extended to all tolled higways and without any time restrictions, saying highway users were unhappy about "cosmetic changes".
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng when winding up the debate, said the roads mentioned by the MPs were state roads and did not come under the purview of the ministry.
On toll discounts, he said this depended on the concessionaires agreeing to it.
The Dewan sits again tomorrow.

tunku : first of all the minister of works need to be replaced.the current minister is not fit to be a minister. he is more involved in his personal business in uk and bangladesh than being a minister.when he was the deputy works minsiter, he hardly in the ministry.always travelling to uk and bangladesh.he has given so many projects to his cronies, so other place need to wait till new fund/budget to come in.we hope najib will not retain this guy in his cabinet in the future.