23 October 2018

Press statement by Wanita MCA Vice-chairman cum Senator Datuk Ong Chong Swen


If mega projects are cancelled, govt must focus on high compensation payment & rehabilitative works

When the Pakatan government cancelled large-scale projects, it should have viewed the matter from various angles, especially when it comes to payment of high compensation amount and the possible rehabilitative works.  

If the projects are axed, is the government capable of paying a high compensation amount? Shall those projects with 20% or more works completed be cancelled or kept? All these considerations must be taken into account by the government.

If any party breaches the contract, it is normal for the said party to pay compensation. It is definitely not recovering RM10billion of advanced payment as claimed by the Finance Minister! The Finance Minister’s illogical argument, only discloses his lacking in professionalism in handling the matter,  which is worrisome and questionable.

Ever since the Pakatan government helmed the federal administration, various mega projects have been subject to review; but it has been four months and the government has yet to decide whether to continue or terminate the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project! Such a dilly-dally way of handling is leaving all relevant parties in the lurch, have resulted in fears in the market due to the government’s flips-flops on the matter.

Some of these large-scale projects are a joint cooperation between nations. Obviously, the Pakatan government has unilaterally announced the cancellation or postponement without any detailed plan presented. It did not consider other influencing factors nor did it come up with appropriate solution. The delays in executing these projects also caused much inconvenience to many contractors, and placed the people’s trust in the government at stake.

Senator Datuk Ong Chong Swen
Wanita MCA Vice-Chairman

-MCA online-