GWR
22-05-08, 12:35 PM
See also posts on the abortive Putrajaya MonorailProject:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=21154&postcount=91
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=20723&postcount=90
Thursday May 22, 2008
Selangor loses millions in idle projects
Story by ELAN PERUMAL
MEGA projects in Selangor have turned out to be costly affairs - to the tune of RM600 mil.
For example, the Shah Alam Stadium, which costs RM350mil and Paya Indah Wetlands Park at RM160mil are more like “white elephants” since the facilities are hardly used.
These unsuccessful mega projects including the Marine Park in Sungai Panjang, Exco Village at Shah Alam and 3C Complex in Subang Jaya seem like a waste of public funds as they are underutilised.
Apart from the huge costs and time involved, these projects stick out like a sore thumb with the public demanding to know what has caused the current disappointing state.
A check by StarMetro showed that many of these mega projects have turned out to be costly affairs, uncompleted, left abandoned or worse still, under-utilised.
3C Complex
Another underutilised facility, the Subang Jaya’s 3C Complex (Children’s Creative Centre) was built at a cost of RM30mil by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council in 2003.
After being abandoned for more than three years, a section of the building is currently utilised by an NGO to conduct lessons for autistic children.
Shah Alam Stadium
Topping the 'white elephant' list in Selangor is the Shah Alam Stadium that was supposed to be the football landmark of the state.
Now, the RM350mil stadium, which has a 85,000 capacity looks deserted and unable to draw even half of its full capacity for matches anymore.
Checks revealed that the stadium built by the Selangor Government in 1997 hosted only about 10 matches in a year. The stadium was rarely used after the Federal Government built the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in 1998.
State property, housing and maintenance committee chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad said a study would be conducted on how to optimise the usage of the stadium.
Besides football, he said, the stadium could be used for various other mega events including entertainment events.
“This is going to be our biggest challenge. We have no options but to look at other ways to put these projects to better use,” said Iskandar.
He added that most of these projects were implemented for the sake of development in view of Selangor's elite status.
“Lack of proper planning has resulted in these structures and facilities becoming white elephants,’’ he said.
Paya Indah Wetlands
The Paya Indah Wetlands in Dengkil is a mega project meant for nature conservation that has failed to meet its objective. Covering 3,300ha, the Federal Government spent RM160mil on the wetlands project that was opened in October 2001.
The presence of four hippopotamus presented by the Botswana government was the only drawing factor for Malaysians before the park was closed to the public two years ago.
Exco Village
Implemented amid huge controversy, the Exco Village project at Section 7 in Shah Alam that was allegedly built at a total cost of RM40mil is another obvious flop.
Former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo who declared that the cosy quarters was built at RM21mil cost had said the facility was aimed at housing the state executive councillors under one compound so that they would able to have closer interaction among themselves.
It was reported earlier that the former state government failed to make its exco members live in the 10 bungalows. The Pakatan Rakyat government had announced that the units would be handed to real estate agents to find suitable tenants.
Marine Park
A Marine Park project at Sungai Panjang near Sekinchan is said to be another project to come under fire due to the huge cost involved.
The project with 13 units of chalets at Kampung Haji Doraini with a restaurant and a shop was built by the Selangor Government at a cost of RM21mil through a direct-negotiation project. Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim said the project was initially approved at RM10mil. Ng said the project had not been able to attract any tourists.
Riverside Park
Built along the Klang River in South Klang, the riverside park is another project that has failed to meet its purpose.
The RM10mil riverside project implemented by the Federal Government as part of its river-cleaning programme looks empty and even the residents living nearby the park are said to be not aware of the park's existence.
The park which houses the Pengkalan Batu jetty is equipped with gazebos, benches, children playground and boasts a beautiful landscape but unfortunately it remains deserted.
Canal City
The RM2bil Canal City project, which was supposed to connect Kota Kemuning and Banting via the Langat River has been abandoned.
The proposed project, announced by Khir last year and supposed to mirror the city of Venice, did not take off.
According to Khir, the canal project was meant to be a massive water reservoir that would eventually supply drinking water for Selangor.
Under the proposed project, Klang River and Langat River will be connected through a canal system on 2,185ha land.
Besides enhancing the rivers, the project was to offer attractive development along the rivers following the Venice model.
However, it is learnt that the project had been abandoned due to its high cost and lack of feasibility.
More abandoned projects
The RM25mil proposed exotic island development on Pulau Angsa off Pulau Ketam is among several projects that had been abandoned halfway.
Another case in point is the RM100mil refurbishment work at Morib Beach, which was widely reported in the media for a long time but never saw completion. The beach was expected to be provided with a RM52mil broadwalk facility.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/5/22/central/21309284&sec=central
Thursday May 22, 2008
Projects have to be worthwhile
THE Selangor and Federal Territory branch of the Federation of Consumers Association (Fomca) has called on the Selangor government to make sure projects are implemented only if they are viable.
Its president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said the lack of feasibility studies in previous projects had cost the government massive financial losses.
Most of the times, he said, projects were implemented after the government received proposals from private companies who were only interested in making money.
“When projects are implemented under this method, most of them become either unsuccessful or white elephants.
Citing the Selangor Exco Village and Shah Alam Stadium as examples of such hasty development, he said, they had failed due to improper planning.
“The multimillion ringgit stadium is definitely underutilised and the Exco Village has been left abandoned now after the previous government built it with an ambitious plan to house the Selangor state exco members,'' he added
Klang Consumers Association chairman A. Devadass said a lot of money was being wasted on abandoned projects and the government should be accountable for this.
The RM10mil riverside park in Klang, he said, was a typical example of how money was spent on a project that had not brought any benefit to the people.
“We have a beautiful looking park but it is located in an area that even those living just 500 metres away from it will miss it.
“I'm surprised that nothing has been done to promote the park especially when the people in Klang do not have facilities of this kind,'' he added.
Meanwhile Selangor Amateur Athletics Association secretary K. Yogasveran, commenting on the underused Shah Alam Stadium, said the track was in good condition.
“However, the management of the stadium do not have an inventory of equipment for athletics.
“Without this list, it is not possible for us to hold any kind of events,'' he said.
The last time the stadium was used for an athletic meet was in 1998 for the Sukma Games.
Selangor local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu who confirmed that the canal city project had been abandoned, said all the mega projects that had been approved by the previous government would be reviewed.
He said it was not possible for all the projects to be implemented but projects that would benefit the people would be continued.
“We are wary of mega development projects due to the high cost and whether it will bring benefit to the people and the state,’’ he said
In the past, Liu said, a lot of projects had been abandoned or delayed due to poor planning.
He said a lot of money had been wasted on unnecessary projects and the state government would have to be extra careful in giving approval for new development projects.
“We don’t want to make the same mistakes like the previous government where a lot of the public funds have been wasted on unnecessary projects,’’ he said
Development, Liu said, should benefit the people and the state and only such developments would be approved.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/5/22/central/21324909&sec=central
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=21154&postcount=91
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=20723&postcount=90
Thursday May 22, 2008
Selangor loses millions in idle projects
Story by ELAN PERUMAL
MEGA projects in Selangor have turned out to be costly affairs - to the tune of RM600 mil.
For example, the Shah Alam Stadium, which costs RM350mil and Paya Indah Wetlands Park at RM160mil are more like “white elephants” since the facilities are hardly used.
These unsuccessful mega projects including the Marine Park in Sungai Panjang, Exco Village at Shah Alam and 3C Complex in Subang Jaya seem like a waste of public funds as they are underutilised.
Apart from the huge costs and time involved, these projects stick out like a sore thumb with the public demanding to know what has caused the current disappointing state.
A check by StarMetro showed that many of these mega projects have turned out to be costly affairs, uncompleted, left abandoned or worse still, under-utilised.
3C Complex
Another underutilised facility, the Subang Jaya’s 3C Complex (Children’s Creative Centre) was built at a cost of RM30mil by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council in 2003.
After being abandoned for more than three years, a section of the building is currently utilised by an NGO to conduct lessons for autistic children.
Shah Alam Stadium
Topping the 'white elephant' list in Selangor is the Shah Alam Stadium that was supposed to be the football landmark of the state.
Now, the RM350mil stadium, which has a 85,000 capacity looks deserted and unable to draw even half of its full capacity for matches anymore.
Checks revealed that the stadium built by the Selangor Government in 1997 hosted only about 10 matches in a year. The stadium was rarely used after the Federal Government built the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in 1998.
State property, housing and maintenance committee chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad said a study would be conducted on how to optimise the usage of the stadium.
Besides football, he said, the stadium could be used for various other mega events including entertainment events.
“This is going to be our biggest challenge. We have no options but to look at other ways to put these projects to better use,” said Iskandar.
He added that most of these projects were implemented for the sake of development in view of Selangor's elite status.
“Lack of proper planning has resulted in these structures and facilities becoming white elephants,’’ he said.
Paya Indah Wetlands
The Paya Indah Wetlands in Dengkil is a mega project meant for nature conservation that has failed to meet its objective. Covering 3,300ha, the Federal Government spent RM160mil on the wetlands project that was opened in October 2001.
The presence of four hippopotamus presented by the Botswana government was the only drawing factor for Malaysians before the park was closed to the public two years ago.
Exco Village
Implemented amid huge controversy, the Exco Village project at Section 7 in Shah Alam that was allegedly built at a total cost of RM40mil is another obvious flop.
Former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo who declared that the cosy quarters was built at RM21mil cost had said the facility was aimed at housing the state executive councillors under one compound so that they would able to have closer interaction among themselves.
It was reported earlier that the former state government failed to make its exco members live in the 10 bungalows. The Pakatan Rakyat government had announced that the units would be handed to real estate agents to find suitable tenants.
Marine Park
A Marine Park project at Sungai Panjang near Sekinchan is said to be another project to come under fire due to the huge cost involved.
The project with 13 units of chalets at Kampung Haji Doraini with a restaurant and a shop was built by the Selangor Government at a cost of RM21mil through a direct-negotiation project. Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim said the project was initially approved at RM10mil. Ng said the project had not been able to attract any tourists.
Riverside Park
Built along the Klang River in South Klang, the riverside park is another project that has failed to meet its purpose.
The RM10mil riverside project implemented by the Federal Government as part of its river-cleaning programme looks empty and even the residents living nearby the park are said to be not aware of the park's existence.
The park which houses the Pengkalan Batu jetty is equipped with gazebos, benches, children playground and boasts a beautiful landscape but unfortunately it remains deserted.
Canal City
The RM2bil Canal City project, which was supposed to connect Kota Kemuning and Banting via the Langat River has been abandoned.
The proposed project, announced by Khir last year and supposed to mirror the city of Venice, did not take off.
According to Khir, the canal project was meant to be a massive water reservoir that would eventually supply drinking water for Selangor.
Under the proposed project, Klang River and Langat River will be connected through a canal system on 2,185ha land.
Besides enhancing the rivers, the project was to offer attractive development along the rivers following the Venice model.
However, it is learnt that the project had been abandoned due to its high cost and lack of feasibility.
More abandoned projects
The RM25mil proposed exotic island development on Pulau Angsa off Pulau Ketam is among several projects that had been abandoned halfway.
Another case in point is the RM100mil refurbishment work at Morib Beach, which was widely reported in the media for a long time but never saw completion. The beach was expected to be provided with a RM52mil broadwalk facility.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/5/22/central/21309284&sec=central
Thursday May 22, 2008
Projects have to be worthwhile
THE Selangor and Federal Territory branch of the Federation of Consumers Association (Fomca) has called on the Selangor government to make sure projects are implemented only if they are viable.
Its president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said the lack of feasibility studies in previous projects had cost the government massive financial losses.
Most of the times, he said, projects were implemented after the government received proposals from private companies who were only interested in making money.
“When projects are implemented under this method, most of them become either unsuccessful or white elephants.
Citing the Selangor Exco Village and Shah Alam Stadium as examples of such hasty development, he said, they had failed due to improper planning.
“The multimillion ringgit stadium is definitely underutilised and the Exco Village has been left abandoned now after the previous government built it with an ambitious plan to house the Selangor state exco members,'' he added
Klang Consumers Association chairman A. Devadass said a lot of money was being wasted on abandoned projects and the government should be accountable for this.
The RM10mil riverside park in Klang, he said, was a typical example of how money was spent on a project that had not brought any benefit to the people.
“We have a beautiful looking park but it is located in an area that even those living just 500 metres away from it will miss it.
“I'm surprised that nothing has been done to promote the park especially when the people in Klang do not have facilities of this kind,'' he added.
Meanwhile Selangor Amateur Athletics Association secretary K. Yogasveran, commenting on the underused Shah Alam Stadium, said the track was in good condition.
“However, the management of the stadium do not have an inventory of equipment for athletics.
“Without this list, it is not possible for us to hold any kind of events,'' he said.
The last time the stadium was used for an athletic meet was in 1998 for the Sukma Games.
Selangor local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu who confirmed that the canal city project had been abandoned, said all the mega projects that had been approved by the previous government would be reviewed.
He said it was not possible for all the projects to be implemented but projects that would benefit the people would be continued.
“We are wary of mega development projects due to the high cost and whether it will bring benefit to the people and the state,’’ he said
In the past, Liu said, a lot of projects had been abandoned or delayed due to poor planning.
He said a lot of money had been wasted on unnecessary projects and the state government would have to be extra careful in giving approval for new development projects.
“We don’t want to make the same mistakes like the previous government where a lot of the public funds have been wasted on unnecessary projects,’’ he said
Development, Liu said, should benefit the people and the state and only such developments would be approved.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/5/22/central/21324909&sec=central