KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — Contractors of 23 sick projects that still fail to meet deadlines will see their contracts terminated, similar to the action taken against those involved in the Petra Jaya Hospital, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the stern action was necessary to warn problematic contractors and developers who were seen to be dragging their feet to complete the project on time. 

"Any of these projects will be considered ‘very sick’(too much delay) after four warnings are issued and stern action will be taken against them, similar to what we did in Petra Jaya.

“I will go down to the field and meet the developers and if they still fail to deliver, we will hand over the projects to the Public Works Department,” he told reporters after attending a health forum organised by the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) here, today.  

Earlier, the Health Ministry was reported to be monitoring at least 23 sick projects nationwide that were classified as sick or ‘red’, that were behind schedule for completion.

Dzulkefly said he had also submitted the proposal to the Cabinet to fire contractors who failed to complete projects on time and it was agreed unanimously.

Any action to terminate the contract would be in accordance with the law and the standard operating procedures (SOP), he said.

Earlier in his opening speech at the event, Dzulkefly also pointed out that most of the delayed projects were only 34 per cent completed.

“Most of the projects were awarded through direct negotiation to developers with no track record whatsoever, and we can no longer accept this practice,” he said. — Bernama

https://www.malaymail.com/s/1649200/contractors-for-23-sick-projects-will-be-fired-if-they-fail-to-meet-deadlin