GEORGE TOWN: Only 16 of the 746 projects undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) are categorised as 'sick' projects.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said two of the projects are in Sabah while the remaining are scattered around Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
He said the sick projects comprised buildings, roads, highways, bridges and slopes.
Sick projects are those which have been delayed by 60 days or 20 per cent.
"Last month, the sick projects made up 2.88 per cent of the overall projects under construction. The figure reduced to 2.14 per cent at present.
"Among the sick project is the Seberang Jaya Hospital expansion project. However, we granted an extension of time last month and the project no longer comes under the sick category.
"We will continue to monitor all these projects and ensure they are completed.
"The sick projects are only very few compared with the hundreds of projects which have been completed or on scheduled," he told newsmen after checking on works at the Penang High Court building here this morning.
According to Ahmad, the main factor for the projects to be categorised as sick is due to the contractors' financial problems.
He said other reasons were due to the Covid-19 pandemic, issues with nominated sub-contractors and building supplies shortage.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said there are 2,100 projects currently under planning.
"So, we need to ensure all the 746 projects are completed before we can begin with the 2,100 projects.
"These projects are from the various ministries, which comprised hospitals, roads and schools, which are all for the benefit of the people," he added.
