Defects spotted during Sukma
(The Star) KUALA TERENGGANU: The defects on the roof of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium were detected last year but there was unfortunately a “lacklustre response” from the Public Works Department, said Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said.
He said the defects were spotted during the opening of Malaysian Games (Sukma) and the state PWD was alerted about it.
“I don’t intend to blame anyone for Tuesday’s catastrophe but then it could have been prevented if the PWD had acted without delay,” he said yesterday.
Ahmad said he had chaired several meetings with PWD officials and told them to expedite the remedial works.
He said he contacted the state PWD deputy director just three weeks ago to remind him about the flaws, voicing concerns that deficiency in the roof structure might cause.
Ahmad said he was told that the PWD had summoned the main contractor responsible for the roofing works only two weeks ago.
The Armed Forces, he said, also reported that the structure was unstable when they attempted to abseil from the roof during the opening ceremony of the stadium last year.
He said the servicemen resorted to using a helicopter service during the performance after discovering that the structure could give way if they were to rappel from the roof frame.
The Terengganu Government has ordered the PWD to immediately inspect the state’s iconic structures which were completed between 2007 and 2008.
They are the Sultan Mahmud International Airport, the aquatic centre in Batu Burok which houses an Olympic-size swimming pool, and the indoor stadium in Gong Badak.
Speaking after chairing the state exco meeting, Ahmad said the state government wanted the PWD to ensure the contractors had adhered to the specifications.
“We do not want see a recurrence of Tuesday’s disgraceful chapter, particularly at the RM123mil Sultan Mahmud Airport terminal where there is heavy human traffic,” he said.
Ahmad revealed that he had personally spotted defects on the airport roof which required immediate remedial works.
“The finishing at the airport looks shoddy,” he said.
