Reponse To The Sun's Articles Relating To The Malaysia Pavillion At Shanghai World Expo 2010
The EditorSun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd
Lot 6, Jalan 51/217
46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Dear Sir,
REPONSE TO THE SUN'S ARTICLES RELATING TO THE MALAYSIA PAVILLION AT SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO 2010
The above matter refers.
The Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia would like to refer to the articles published in The Sun written respectively by Terence Fernandez (Pavilion of Shame - 24 September 2010), Peteray (It gets wet only when it rains - 4 October 2010) and Lew-Ann Phang / Terence Fernandez (Looks like a leak, sounds like a leak, but it's not a leak - 8 October 2010).
These articles gave the view that the construction cost of the Malaysia Pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010 has escalated to RM40 million. We wish to reiterate that the cost of construction of the Malaysia Pavilion remains at RM20 million.
For the record, the scope of work costing RM20 million covers not only to design, build, operate and maintain the Malaysia Pavilion but also to dismantle the Pavilion as per the requirement of WORLD EXPO 2010.
We also wish to reiterate that the appointment of a local company Venturepharm Asia Sdn Berhad was done in accordance with the Malaysian government's procurement procedure via an open tender, based on a design and build concept. The tender was advertised in the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia on 12 May 2009.
The construction of the Malaysia Pavilion was carried out with strict compliance based on the construction rules and regulations set by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
In accordance with China's construction rules and regulations, all contractors of the EXPO 2010 must appoint China-based sub-contractors and consultants to conduct the works. They must also be registered and shortlisted by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
It is not true that the construction of the Malaysia Pavilion was supervised by Government officials instead of civil engineers. In fact, based on the design and build concept, the construction work was supervised by the China-based technical team who are professionals. In addition, monitoring was done by the Bureau and a technical team from the Ministry, led by a Project Director who is a civil engineer with vast experience.
We take a serious view regarding the water leak and had instructed the contractor to take remedial measures. As per the contract requirement, a technical team is on standby to ensure the Pavilion is running smoothly. As for the LED screen, investigations revealed that the screen is working as specified. However, at times it needs to be switched off for routine maintenance.
Above all, the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia reserves the right to forfeit the Contractor's Performance Bond, should the contractor fails to fulfil the terms and conditions of the contract.
On that note, the Ministry would like to thank the writers for the concerns raised. We welcome feedback for the betterment of our tourism industry.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
DATO' DR ONG HONG PENG
Secretary General
Ministry of Tourism Malaysia
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