Shoddy work could be tip of iceberg, says Navaratnam
02/05/2007 The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The recent collapse at three new government buildings is symptomatic of the state of deterioration in standards, quality, productivity and efficiency in the country, said Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.

“There’s too much concern to make a quick buck and too little attention given to professionalism. This could be the tip of the iceberg,” said the Transparency International Malaysia president.

He believed the problem was not going to end until something was done to address the root causes and make those responsible pay.

“If a contractor is careless and indifferent in his work but continues to be rewarded by getting contracts and making more and more profit for shoddy work, why should he change? He does not pay the price for it. That’s human nature.

“But if you penalise him, deny him the contract and blacklist him – then they (contractors) will realise (they can’t get away with it).

“The authorities should look at this more seriously and not talk more but do more,” he told reporters yesterday after delivering his address at the Towards Achieving Quality in the Civil Service seminar.

He said if necessary new legislation should be introduced.

Three weeks ago, a burst pipe at the new Immigration Department Headquarters in Putrajaya brought its operations to a halt. Then on Saturday, chunks of the plaster ceiling at the multi-purpose hall at the Entrepreneurial Development and Co-operative Ministry collapsed.

The third incident was at the new Jalan Duta Court Complex, where two parts of a ceiling collapsed.

Navaratnam said these couldn’t be seen to be isolated or mere coincidences.

“These are big projects. It’s like a disease. If you don’t see you’ve got a problem, then you won’t solve it. I’m not being pessimistic, but realistic and pragmatic,” he added.

Navaratnam welcomed the Prime Minister’s directive for all government buildings to be checked for defects.

“We should do something before it is too late. It reflects the quality of our workmanship and professional and ethics today. This has obviously been going on before. It isn’t as if it has suddenly changed,” he said.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu also welcomed Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call for the Public Works Department to inspect all government buildings nationwide.

“I respect the PM’s statement and will discuss the matter in the Cabinet meeting this week,” he added.