THE upgrading and repair work for the Parliament building, which was supposed to take only six years, will now take 14 years to complete, taking into account Phase 2C(ii) that is scheduled to be completed in 2025. 

According to the Auditor-General’s Report 2021 Series 1 released today, the performance outcome of the project that started in 2011 cannot be evaluated, as Phase 2C(ii), involving the main building and the provision of parking lots, is still in the implementation phase. 

“Overall, the management of the project is satisfactory with six phases having been completed and one phase under construction,” it said. 

The audit also found that many changes to the job scope following customer and technical requests had contributed to the increase in the project’s cost ceiling by RM106.1 million (20.4%), from RM520 million to RM626.1 million. 

The project’s financial performance also showed that expenses up to December 31, 2021, amounted to RM468.45 million (74.8%), compared to the latest allocation of RM626.1 million.

Besides that, several weaknesses in terms of project management, such as value management, procurement and contract management, and governance of the information and communication technology (ICT) system development in the contract, require attention from the management for improvement actions. 

To overcome the weaknesses and ensure no recurrence in the future, the auditor-general recommended that the Public Works Department (PWD) ensure comprehensive governance and effective monitoring so the project achieves the set objectives. 

In addition, parliament and the PWD need to ensure that the ICT system development is referred to authorised agencies to maintain the need, interest and security of the public-sector ICT. 

“Parliament needs to ensure that assets procured are optimally used and fully utilised,” the report added. – Bernama, August 3, 2022.