New Contractor Appointed for Esscom Base on Pulau Mabul
Petaling Jaya: The home ministry has announced that a new contractor will be appointed by October 16 to complete the delayed forward operating base for the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) on Pulau Mabul in Semporna. This decision is expected to be finalised during the public works department’s (JKR) rehabilitation board meeting.
Deputy home minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah highlighted that both the ministry and the state government will collaborate with JKR to ensure that the new contractor can finish the main building, personnel quarters, and jetty. He noted that the delay was primarily due to setbacks in the jetty construction, which had stalled at zero progress against the targeted 11%.
“This was due to delays in conducting seabed surveying works for gazettement purposes. However, that process was completed on June 22, 2023,” Shamsul explained in his winding-up speech on the debate regarding the Auditor-General’s Report Series 3/2025 for his ministry.
The original contractor was terminated in September 2023 after an audit revealed no construction activity since June of that year, despite several reminder letters from the consulting supervision team. This delay led to an increase in project costs by RM28.7 million, which will be covered using funds from the cancelled Sabah Sea Surveillance System Phase 2 project in Sandakan and Malawali.
Enhanced Monitoring Mechanisms
To prevent further delays, Shamsul mentioned that monitoring mechanisms have been tightened. Ministry and state government representatives now attend every site meeting, and JKR is using the C-Plan integrated enterprise system to track project quality and progress.
In addition to these efforts, Shamsul also discussed the operations of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). He stated that the agency currently operates 237 maritime assets across the Strait of Malacca, South China Sea, and Sulu Sea to ensure effective enforcement.
Under the Malaysian Maritime Strategic Plan 2020, the MMEA aims to have 116 patrol vessels, 96 medium ships, 20 large ships, and 228 smaller boats to meet operational needs. As of September 30, 35 MMEA vessels were more than 30 years old, prompting the agency to implement a refurbishment and phased asset replacement programme.
Key Points
- Contractor Appointment: A new contractor will be appointed by October 16 to complete the Esscom base on Pulau Mabul.
- Reasons for Delay: The delay was caused by setbacks in the jetty construction, which had stalled at zero progress.
- Audit Findings: The original contractor was terminated in September 2023 due to lack of construction activity.
- Cost Increase: The project cost increased by RM28.7 million, which will be covered from funds of a cancelled project.
- Monitoring Enhancements: Tightened monitoring mechanisms include attendance at site meetings and use of the C-Plan system.
- Maritime Assets: The MMEA operates 237 maritime assets across key waterways.
- Strategic Plan: The MMEA aims to expand its fleet to meet operational needs.
- Aging Vessels: 35 MMEA vessels are over 30 years old, leading to a refurbishment and replacement programme.
