KUCHING: The construction of the Petra Jaya Hospital is ahead of schedule whereby its work progress is nearly at 26 percent completion.

Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said based on the latest progress, the appointed rescue contractor should be able to complete the project according to schedule.

“If according to work schedule, the Petra Jaya Hospital project should be completed at 25.4 percent, but the rescue contractor has achieved the work progress at 25.9 percent as of today (July 30),” he said during a press conference after officiating at opening of Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Sarawak Secretariat Office at Wisma Saberkas here today.

The Petra Jaya Hospital which began construction in May 2013 was originally scheduled for completion in November 2016. It faced several delays and was deemed a sick project after previous contractors failed to complete the project on time.

The said hospital was expected to be completed and fully operational in 2024 following the appointment of the rescue contractor last year.

On the progress of the Kanowit Hospital, Fadillah said that the latest development is that only preliminary works can be done.

“Due to changes such as design and others, the contract ceiling price requires additional allocation. Hence, we can only carry out preliminary works,” he said.

As for Lawas Hospital and Miri Hospital, Fadillah said it is slightly behind schedule.

“For Lawas Hospital, work progress should be at 31 percent, but as of now it is six percent behind schedule at 25 percent. Meanwhile, Miri Hospital Building Extension Construction Project should be completed by 28 percent instead of 23 percent.

“Having said that, the ministry will identify the cause of the delay and ensure the contractors complete these hospitals on time,” he said.

Fadillah also said following the recent announcement by the Indonesian government to lift the freeze on sending its migrant workers to Malaysia effective August 1, it was hoped the momentum to continue the project can be enhanced.

“Definitely the other challenges besides the issue of foreign workers is in terms of the supply and increase of price of construction materials. Therefore, it is hoped that this issue can be solved,” he said.

On another note, he said that construction of the Sri Aman Hospital has been completed and has been handed over to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

“Now, it is at the stage for MOH to start the operation of the hospital,” said Fadillah.