Dewan Negara News-In-Brief: Feb 26

CONTRACTORS FACE PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO COMPLETE SPECIAL ALLOCATION PROJECTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The government will impose Liquidated Ascertained Damages (LAD) fines for each day of delay on contractors who fail to complete projects under special allocations for Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the government will also terminate contracts and blacklist the companies involved from securing future government projects.

He added that projects are subject to audits by the National Audit Department, and any misconduct can be investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

“The government practises good governance and zero tolerance for corruption and mismanagement. Where there is room for improvement, the government is always open to enhancing monitoring and reporting mechanisms,” he said during the oral question session in the Dewan Negara today.

Mustapha was responding to Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, who asked about monitoring measures for construction projects under the special allocations for MPs and assemblymen.

-- BERNAMA

GOV'T ESTABLISHES COMMITTEE TO MONITOR KL HERITAGE TRANSFORMATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The government has established the Kuala Lumpur Heritage Transformation Steering Committee to ensure the implementation of historic building conservation projects in the capital is planned, integrated and conducted with integrity.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui said the committee, co-chaired by the Finance Minister II and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), monitors the direction, policies and alignment of heritage projects to ensure they correspond with urban development aspirations.

He said an implementation working committee led by the Kuala Lumpur Mayor will coordinate collaboration among ministries, agencies and stakeholders to ensure historical assets such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building continue to function as a living national identity and benefit society.

Apart from the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the transformation also involves other heritage assets under Khazanah Nasional Berhad, including the conservation of eight major heritage buildings such as the Old General Post Office, City Theatre, and Bukit Carcosa Seri Negara, with all development adhering to the Urban Design Guidelines to preserve the aesthetic and historical value of each structure.

Lo said this when responding to a supplementary question from Senator Dr Jufitri Joha on the government’s monitoring mechanisms and approach to ensure heritage transformation in Kuala Lumpur is sustainably implemented without compromising historical value and the original identity of the buildings.

-- BERNAMA

GOV'T READY TO STRENGTHEN RUKUN TETANGGA IN ORANG ASLI VILLAGES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The government is prepared to expand the implementation of the Rukun Tetangga (Neighbourhood Watch) programme, including in Orang Asli villages, subject to community applications and needs.

Deputy Minister of National Unity R. Yuneswaran said to date, 8,603 Rukun Tetangga have been established nationwide, including 16 in Orang Asli villages.

“The establishment of Rukun Tetangga is based on community demand and specific criteria, with nearly 100 new Rukun Tetangga formed each year and operated on the basis of volunteerism,” he said, responding to Senator Shahrol Wizan Sulong on preparations to expand Rukun Tetangga implementation in Orang Asli villages.

Yuneswaran said the government allocates an annual grant of RM6,000 to each active Rukun Tetangga for management and programme implementation, with 101,157 activities carried out last year covering economic, welfare, education, interfaith harmony and security aspects.

He added that an additional RM5 million has been allocated this year for the Progressive Rukun Tetangga initiative to help reduce living costs and increase community income.

-- BERNAMA