Complete projects on time or risk being blacklisted, says Mohd Puad

BANGI: The Education Ministry on Feb 2 reminded contractors of 45 ailing projects under the ministry to complete them on schedule or risk being blacklisted.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said so far five contractors had been blacklisted while 23 were in the process of being blacklisted.

"When actions are taken, don't say the government or the ministry is not being fair because this is our pledge to people under the 'People First, Performance Now' slogan," he told reporters after visiting the site of an abandoned school project in Bandar Seri Putra here on Feb 2.

Mohd Puad said actions had been taken against the contractors for failing to complete the RM20 million project on time despite being given extension on two occasions.

He said a new tender had been opened and that a new contractor was expected to be appointed early next month.

"The project will commence soon and will be ready in seven months because there is only about 27% left to be completed. It can be used for the 2011 school session," he said.

The school, which began construction on April 5, 2007 and scheduled for completion in December 2008, has 36 classrooms to cater for 1,100 students. -- Bernama