JOHOR BARU: The Defence Ministry will continue working with the Public Works Department (JKR) to ensure all their projects run smoothly, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin.

The Defence Minister said the Ministry has always closely monitored projects under its umbrella, including those handled by JKR.

"We (Defence Ministry) have been having regular meetings with JKR to monitor the projects they are handling.

"This includes ensuring that everything is moving as scheduled, finding out if there are any issues, and checking on the performance of contractors," he said.

He said this after attending the Aidilfitri Madani program here on Thursday (April 18).

It was Khaled’s comment on the delayed Kem Iskandar project in Mersing.

On Monday (April 15), His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, ordered the party responsible for building the combat training pool at Kem Iskandar to clarify the reasons for the delay.

In a Facebook post, His Majesty said that the pool was supposed to be fully completed in December 2022 but has remained under construction until now.

"I was told the relevant party had requested an extension six times. On Monday, I found the project signboard at the construction site was demolished.

"The Johor JKR and the Mersing district engineers have to explain why the signboard was pulled down," said His Majesty.

His Majesty, who performed the project's groundbreaking ceremony in May 2018, has also ordered the project sign board to be reinstalled at the construction site.

On Tuesday (April 16), Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the project is expected to be completed by June.

"We will monitor the project closely to ensure this does not happen again," he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/18/defence-ministry-to-coordinate-with-jkr-to-ensure-all-projects-run-smoothly