Zairil slammed for pinning Bukit Kukus highway delay on contractor

Penang MCA expressed its unhappiness over further delays in the completion of the Bukit Kukus Twin Highway, saying that state exco Zairil Khir Johari should not shirk his responsibilities.

"Once again, the Penang government has shown its expertise in pushing its responsibility to someone else," Bukit Gelugor MCA secretary Wong Chin Chong said in a statement today.

"Other than pushing away their responsibilities, they do not show any sincerity in solving people's problems."

On a site visit yesterday, Zairil announced that only a portion of the Bukit Kukus Twin Highway could be used, and that the completion of another section had been delayed.

In his statement, Wong criticised the exco for attributing the delay to PLB Land, the contractor for the third portion of the road. 

He acknowledged PLB Land's clarification that the delay occurred due to its own financial problems, but insisted that Zairil shoulder some of the responsibility. 

"As state exco, doesn't Zairil need to shoulder some responsibility as well? He has the duty of monitoring the project," he said.

"Earlier, Zairil said the project will be completed by this year, but now he claims that it would be delayed. 

"Does it mean that the authorities failed to do their duty to monitor the project?"

Last October, a massive landslide occurred at the Bukit Kukus Twin Highway site, killing nine.

A special committee tasked to investigate the tragedy found main contractor Yuta Maju Sdn Bhd, engineering consultant GEA (M) Sdn Bhd, independent checker G&P Professional Sdn Bhd and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) responsible. 

Wong pointed out that it is "senseless" that the Penang government cannot confirm the completion date of the Bukit Kukus Twin Highway, as it is the contractor's duty to inform the exco in charge.

"Will the delay eventually hike the cost of the project? Will that burden the state government or contractor? How much has the cost increased due to the delay?

"If the project continues to be delayed just because something happens, why should the people vote for you?

"The state government continues to make the same mistakes. It always makes false promises – they say a project can be finished on time, but it is always delayed. This is a big disappointment to Penangites," he said.