PM WANTS CONTRACTORS TO ADHERE TO THREE KEY ELEMENTS

PEKAN (Pahang), April 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak said Malaysian contractors must adhere to three key elements in efforts to ensure that every development project for the well-being of the people can be implemented in the best manner possible.

The Prime Minister said the three elements concerned work quality;
implementing projects according to schedule; and meeting the budget specified.

"Based on these three criteria, they must manage their projects in the best manner possible, I am recommending the importance of knowledge and skill in managing the projects right from the start.

"They must also determine the cost of managing the project, for example, in terms of construction materials and work, monitoring and so on to improve project management efficiency," he told reporters after opening the annual general meeting of the east coast state of Pahang Chapter of the Malaysian Malay Contractors Association, here.

Also present were Pahang Chief Minister Adnan Yaakob and the Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed.

Commenting on abandoned projects, Najib said they could be due to external factors that were beyond the control of the contractors concerned.

"We want to see based on these three elements, (but) sometimes due to factors beyond our control, for example, two years ago the price of construction materials went up significantly. I don't blame the contractors in abnormal situations, but I'm saying here, in situations where there are no abnormal factors, we must raise our capacity and efficiency in project management," he said.

Earlier in is speech at the opening, Najib said every project awarded to the contractors were based on quality and their capability in carrying out a particular project.