PM Wants Flood Alleviation Projects Speeded Up

"The flood is not seasonal. All projects to alleviate floods like the deepening of rivers and building of retention ponds must be completed fast,""Mobilise all resources and give it priority," Datuk Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today all flood alleviation projects should be speeded up to prevent flash flood.

"The flood is not seasonal. All projects to alleviate floods like the deepening of rivers and building of retention ponds must be completed fast," the Prime Minister said at a Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) briefing on its preparedness in facing flood.

He said all projects being undertaken by the and Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) and DBKL must be completed ahead of schedule.

"Mobilise all resources and give it priority," he said when briefed by Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop at DBKL's security and enforcement department in Jalan Tun Razak here.

Also present was Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ab. Hakim Borhan.

JKR To Tighten Grip On Contractors

"A stricter compliance system must be developed for contractors and sub-contractors with specific references to infrastructure weaknesses due to shoddy work and fulfilling standard requirements,"Datuk Seri S. Smy Vellu, Work Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 - In the wake of a series of minor defects in government buildings recently, the Public Works Department (JKR) will set up a Building Surveyors Division to inspect the condition of all buildings after completion.

In issuing the directive Monday, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said in addition, a new central department would be formed at the ministry to ensure high standards in maintenance, while penalties in the form of surcharges would be imposed on contractors who shirked their duties.

Elaborating on the Building Surveyors Division, he said its role would be to detect any defect.

"It (the division) will also ensure the maintenance and streamlining of high standards for construction supervision," he said when opening a workshop on the new government delivery system organized by his ministry here.

He also directed the JKR and all agencies within the ministry to draw up implementing charts when giving a project to a contractor.

"If the task or required parcel of work is not completed within the stipulated period and according to the quality expected, the contractor is surcharged immediately.

"There is therefore an urgent need to tighten quality assurance, standards including enhancing monitoring and supervisory roles," he said.

Samy Vellu also called for a revamp of the ministry's Complaints Unit. "This unit must become more pro-active in making itself available to the ordinary citizens thereby documenting accurately their complaints and effectively resolving their grievances," he said.

He said by managing public complaints and giving reliable and accurate replies, it would enhance the ministry's profile with civil society groups.

Samy Vellu said also said it was important for the JKR to deploy the right people especially those with the competency, expertise, experience, information, brainpower and commitment to oversee the implementation of projects.

"In a similar way, a step-by-step approach to effectively monitor all the infrastructure projects that are being undertaken is critical," he said.

Samy Vellu said critical self assessment and peer group appraisals were necessary to keep relevant officials alert on their professional and technical outputs.

"Effective tracking and feedback systems must be developed. Multiple sources of information both formal and informal must be tapped from all the stakeholders," he said.

He also suggested that trouble shooting teams be established to undertake spot checks and analysis to ensure quality control, while internal audits must assess both effective and efficient use of resources.

"A stricter compliance system must be developed for contractors and sub-contractors with specific references to infrastructure weaknesses due to shoddy work and fulfilling standard requirements," he said.

Bank Islam Appoints Dubai-based Banker As Director

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 - Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd has appointed prominent Dubai-based banker Ahmad Saeed Bin Brek as an independent non-executive director from June 8.

Ahmad Saeed is a reputed turnaround specialist, as demonstrated when he turned around from a loss of one millionCitibank Arab Emirates dinar (AED) to a profit of 150 million AED in 1990, Bank Islam in a statement.

He is also credited with establishing a diversified commercial and retail segment for and transforming Citibank, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to a premier institution, the bank added.

Bank Islam said the appointment was in line with its strategy to bring in relevant expertise at the board and senior management level to help accelerate the bank's tranformation.

An accountant by training, Ahmad Saeed has over 25 years of experience in banking and financial services in the UAE and Gulf region.

He is currently chief executive officer (CEO) of MAF Ventures LLC.

Previously, he was CEO of Citibank NA, UAE and Oman, from 1990 to 2002 and seconded to Dubai Bank in 2002. Prior to joining Citibank, he was a senior auditor for Ernst & Young.