The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has come under fire for an alleged smart lamp post replacement project that costs RM30.75 million.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng of DAP recently questioned the high cost of the project set to take place in the Klang Valley.
“Based on the total project price, the cost of replacing one lamp post comes to RM153,750. DBKL must clarify this,” he said.
“People are asking if the contract is limited to merely installing them or does it involve other work too,” Lim says.
Meanwhile, netizens have made sarcastic comments to explain the exorbitant cost of the project.
“Don’t think negatively. The pole is made out of vibranium, same as the one used for Captain America’s shield,” said a user.
“RM153,750 for each lamp, to be exact. The lamp allows us to look into the past or what?”
Public funds will NOT be used
Following DAP’s and the public’s demands for answers, DBKL had reportedly denied appointing Sarawak Consolidated Industries Berhad (SCIB) to undertake the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract of the Integrated Smart Lamp Pole Replacement.
It was alleged that SCIB’s subsidiary, SCIB Properties Sdn Bhd (SCIBP) had bagged the contract awarded via Ennova Sdn. Bhd.
Simultaneously, SCIB managing director and chief executive officer Rosland Othman said Ennova was to bear all construction costs of the poles.
This included the rental of each pole in accordance with the agreed rental price between Ennova and DBKL.
“We are unaware of any funding or financing arrangement for the contract by DBKL,” Rosland said, who clarified further on the contract to replace 200 lamp posts.
So is DBKL denying all involvement?
However, this then begs the question of why the contract was given out via a third party (Ennova), as it does not align with what DBKL said in their statement.
“We have never authorised any third party (Ennova) to appoint SCIB nor any of its subsidiaries to carry out projects for DBKL,” DBKL said in a statement.
SCIBP’s role in the project
Speaking more on the role of SCIBP in the project, Rosland states that the scope of work included but was not limited to: site clearing, excavation and reinforced concrete footing structure, laying all reinforcement concrete, bolts and nuts, and plates on all mild steel structures, with the poles, fittings and accessories all to be supplied by Ennova.
“The scope also includes perimeter chain-link fencing works, mild steel gates and erection, earthworks, levelling, setting out, making point and other related works,” he said.
Do you think that the story adds up? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: “We did not give any permits” – DBKL Says NO to Electric Scooters at Dataran Merdeka
