Prasarana has paid RM3.5b to MRCB-George Kent up to October; didn't withhold payments to the JV, claims chairman

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 4): Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s non-executive chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman claims that the company has paid RM3.47 billion to MRCB-George Kent Sdn Bhd (MRCBGK) up to Oct 2, 2020.

The chairman’s claim came a few days after news report indicated that 17 contractors and consulting firms for the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project jointly wrote a letter to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport to seek help for payment of more than RM700 million withheld by Prasarana for work done.

According to the jointly signed letter, the 17 firms said Prasarana had not paid them since July. As of October, the contractors were owed RM700 million, and after taking into account work done in December, this amount would exceed RM1 billion, they said. 

Speaking at a press conference today, Tajuddin said Prasarana did not withhold any payment to MRCBGK, adding that the agency has paid RM3.47 billion in claims up to Oct 2, 2020.

"We have paid them and it is not a small sum of money! RM3.468 billion. Every time they claimed, we would pay without hesitation," said the Pasir Salak Member of Parliament (MP) who took over the chairmanship in May.

"The subcontractors are not our contractors. They should go to MRCBGK [and complain]. If there is any issue, it's none of our business. 

"But we do keep our eyes and ears open. As the project owner, we do want to see the project being successful," he added.

Tajuddin highlighted that MRCBGK — a joint venture between Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) and George Kent (M) Bhd — being owned by listed companies, should have capital to proceed with the project.

"They are the turnkey contractor. They must have funds to pay for the works done by the subcontractors," Tajuddin said.

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