Parliament Flaws the Most Evident Sign of Lack of Accountability

It is now claimed that our House of Parliament is beset with a plethora of woes from leaking roofs, wiring problems, toilet blocks and even the theft of hooks in the toilets.

It appears that no budget for roof maintenance has been provided for 44 years and one wonders why they could spend RM90m solely on interior renovations as claimed in the Star report.

Like the proverbial "hot potato" everyone appears blur as to how no is considered responsible for the building maintenance.

Also water-proofing on the concrete roofing as shown in the photo should develop minor faults after perhaps 10 years. One wonders how this was also reported when there is talk of accumumulated debris and blockages on the roof.

"Furthermore, until about four months ago when inspection was carried out, the roof was still in good condition. The roof leakage developed in the last three months probably due to heavy rain and physical defects."

Simply incredulous but then people have to find excuses when the shit hits the ceiling!

Even with XXL Cabinet in operation for three years it seems that the authorities do not even know how to ensure that basic maintenance is provided for all buildings.

To me it is a basic failure of good governance when our Parliament building is so badly neglected. We are only good at facades but when serious matters or issues are involved, it is merely given a cursory look.

Perhaps it only shows the utter lack of concern by the government as it basks in the 90% majority and can ignore the will of the rak'yat.

To me it is such a simple administrative procedure that should be provided by the PWD. It should provide an official hand-book of building maintenance that is given to all government agencies that want to do their own maintenance.

It will then be up to the agency concerned to hire competent contractors and provide the annual budget for proper building maintenance.
The annual budget for proper building maintenance could be about 5% of the building value; depending on the building condition.

Now if the Works Minister had spent his time developing such systems instead of campaigning in the two by-elections, all the government departments and other buildings could have obtained the Building Maintenance Manual by now.

Photo: Thanks to New Straits Times