THIEVES have stripped Petra Jaya hospital in Kuching, Sarawak, of nearly all its wiring and fittings, while vandals have reportedly caused extensive damage to equipment and the structure of the abandoned building.

There are no official figures on the damage, but Zecon Bhd, the company awarded a RM495 million contract to build the 300-bed hospital in May 2013, estimates the losses at RM15 million.

This will surely give new Works Minister Fadillah Yusof something to think about, as the hospital is in his constituency.

“Anything and everything of value in the second-hand market have been taken, and what they could not take away, they damage,” a Zecon official told The Malaysian Insight.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to comment on the matter, and a legal case is ongoing between the company and Putrajaya.

The contract was supposed to have been for only 42 months with a completion date of June 2018.

According to Zecon’s website, the firm was awarded the design and build turnkey project with a Kuching-based company, including survey, design and quality assurance.

Their scope of work included the construction, completion, testing and commissioning of “all requirements and structures”, including all necessary temporary works, site-clearing, earthworks and excavations, foundation, structural, civil works, architectural works, interior works, landscaping works, mechanical and electrical works, and other relevant utilities.

However, a dispute between Zecon and the project supervisor, the federal Public Works Department (JKR), allegedly over progress payments and the progress of work, ended in the then-new Pakatan Harapan government terminating the contract in August 2018.

The Bursa-listed company is challenging the termination, which it deems wrongful, in the courts.

Electrical wiring and cables have been yanked off for their copper content, and copper bolts have also been removed.

The Zecon official blames JKR for failure to secure the site.

“JKR didn’t guard the site.

“They did when our contract was terminated, but it only lasted until the end of last year.”

From the start of this year, the site has been left unguarded, opening the door to thieves and vandals, he said.

The company will add the RM15 million losses to its outstanding claims, he added.

“Former works minister Baru Bian promised to resolve the issue, but before he could, the PH government collapsed.

“I hope Baru’s successor, Fadillah, can.” – March 20, 2020.