The municipal councils of Penang Island (MPPP) and Seberang Perai (NMPSP) must stop awarding landscaping projects to politically-linked companies.

DAP organising committee chairperson Danny Law Heng Kiang Law claimed that both councils have been awarding lucrative contracts to companies linked to Barisan Nasional and especially Umno.

Apart from wasting public funds, the contractors failed to comply with procedures to ensure quality landscaping and beautification work, he said.

The councils, meanwhile, failed to monitor and compel these companies to comply with the rules due to political pressure.

"These companies produced poor work. Moreover, expensive contracts were awarded to companies for landscaping and beautification projects although the projects could have been implemented at a much lower cost," he said.

Last year, MPPP and MPSP gave out RM8 million worth of landscaping and beautification contracts respectively. In 2003, the figures stood at RM7.4 million and RM10 million.

The total for both municipalities was RM9.4 million in 2001, and RM14.8 million in 2002.

'Satisfactory results'

When contacted, Penang local government committee chairperson Dr Teng Hock Nan said the opposition was blowing the issue out of proportion.

He said privatised landscaping work had generally produced satisfactory results even though certain projects had failed to live up to expectations and specifications. However, the councils had redressed this problem.

"On numerous occasions, the councils insisted that the contractors should rectify errors and improve the quality of work. These companies have followed the directives," he said, adding that several companies have also been blacklisted for failing to comply with instructions.

Law, however, disputed the assertion, citing instances of projects where the contractors have not been compelled to fulfil the terms of contract.

These allegedly include a RM4.2 million contract in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone in 2003 and a subsequent maintenance contract worth RM350,000 a month; and a half-million rinngit project to plant trees and flowering shrubs at 50 roundabouts in Seberang Perai.

Two other projects to beautify parts of Jalan Gurdwara and Island Glades have yet to be carried out, Law alleged.

MPSP also forked out RM5,750 per week for supply of fresh plants and flowers to its office building in Butterworth from 2000 up to last month.

When DAP's Sungai Puyu state assemblyperson Phee Poon Boh questioned this during the last sitting, Teng had replied that the contract was being reviewed and that the terms would be revised to planting ornamentals in strategic spots in Butterworth town.

DIY concept

Law suggested that the councils should undertake landscaping projects themselves. Last year, MPPP won the federal government's best landscaped project award for its work at the Municipal Council Youth Park in the Botanical Gardens.

"When they can carry out such projects on their own, why should the councils privatise the work?" he asked.

He also called on the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate the privatised landscaping and beautification projects.

In response, Teng said the councils could not take up all landscaping and beautification projects due to a shortage in manpower, especially skilled workers.
"It's easier to be said than done. It's more cost-effective to privatise the projects," he added.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini's Penang-based stringer.