Saturday, July 11, 2009

THE SPURT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AROUND MINDEF

I was driving up along Jalan Padang Tembak this morning on my way to Kg. Datuk Keramat, and I decided to drive uphill along the road that leads to the Armed Forces Staff College (AFSC). Back in 1985, and once again in 1993, this was the road that I frequently used on my way out to town, since I lived in one of the military quarters just below AFSC. My main reason for the diversion was to drive pass AFSC where I once served as a Directing Staff, and also to look at the military quarters that I had once stayed along Lorong Kubu.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the development projects that is going on around the area, which will definitely change the landscape of the surrounding area once the projects are completed. The entire area where the Armed Forces Officers Mess once stood has all disappeared, including the bachelor officers apartments. The area is being fenced up, and construction of a new Armed Forces Officers Mess is fast appearing. I am told that the Officers Mess is modeled along a four star hotel with all its modern amenities befitting of a posh hotel, including a grand ballroom that can take in one thousand people in a single sitting. I am amazed at the description of the Officers Mess, and I only hope that I am still around to bare witness to the facility when is it completed. I am proud that the government has given the officers of the Armed Forces what it truly deserve.

The Mindef Stadium as it was known before, is also undergoing major reconstruction. I observed a new covered grandstand is being built and including some other sporting facilities. This is indeed a worthy project, and I am quite sure the facilities will be fully utilised when it is ready.

During the period that I was in Mindef, the two playing fields and the other sporting facilities are most popular among the officers and soldiers, especially on Wednesday's and Friday's; both days being compulsory games days. In most instances, there would be more by-standers than participants. This is because there are not enough sporting facilities to cater for the large number of participants. I am not quite sure what is left of the two tennis courts that had once been my favourite sport.

The Mindef Mosque too is undergoing major renovation. From what I observed, the mosque has doubled its original size, and this hopefully will cater for the growing Mindef population, as well as the civilians around the neighbouring Kg. Datuk Keramat area, especially during the obligatory Friday prayers. I do hope that the development of the mosque takes into account the need for a much larger car park constructed within the mosque area itself.

I commend the people that had mooted the projects that is sure to bring benefit to the Mindef population. But what concerns me most is the quality of work that the contractors will provide at the completion of the projects. We have seen too many shoddy work, and I blame this on poor supervision and utter neglect by the authorities concern. Let us hope that incidence like the collapse of the roof of the grandstand of the new Trengganu main stadium recently does not occur to any one of the projects mentioned above.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

6 comments:

tuahjebat said...

It is about time the Mindef Officers' Mess, a British left over wooden structures, is being replaced with a more modern 5-star hotel standard of building.

My compliments to all those concerned, especially the PMC and his Committee, whom I believe have been pushing very hard to get this project materialised.

Who are the contractors being given
the Mindef Officers' Mess project and Upgrading of Mindef Sports Complex?

Remember the Mindef Transit Quarters and Housing projects? It was because of so many suspected
irregularities from the award of contract,the selection of the main contractors, the involvement of many sub-sub contractors to the multi-excuses by main contractors, these projects took more than 10 years to complete!

By the way, are they completed?

I hope Minister Zahid Hamidi keep an eye on the contractors and his officers who manage this contract. Let us hope that the bad and ugly
Mindef projects episode does not repeat.

maurice said...

The Officers Mess once completed, the challenge would be to manage and maintain it to a 5-star type hotel standard.

I find the RMN the most suited to run the new Mindef Officers Mess as they have created a good reputation as managers of well-run Officers Mess.Just visit their Officers Mess at Lumut Naval Base, you will see what I mean.

I hope MAF HQ is not pressured into forming a tri-service management team to run the new Officers Mess as this would create additional challenegs which could be disastrous to the efficient running of the new Officers Mess.

komando said...

RMN - yes they are in white uniforms, not for any reason, appear to be clean and are clean!
They have clear vision and clear objectives.
They know what they want!
They know where they are going to!

THE ARMY ????
THE MOST CONFUSED LOT!
KELABU TAHI ASAP, ALWAYS ADA AGENDA TERSIRAT DAN TERSURAT!
BACK STABBING AND PERSONAL VENDETTA THE ORDER OF THE DAY.
CRONIES AND BALL LICKERS ALL AROUND THE BIG GENERALS AND CHIEFS!
NOT TO EXPECT ANY GOOD THINGS FROM GREENS !

LET THE RMN RULE THE ATM NEXT OR EVEN THE RMAF !
ENOUGH OF RED ARMY !

Abu said...

Dato,

Saya khuatir projek perumahan di Kementah yang dikendalikan olih Syarikat Perumahan Negara akan mengalami nasib seperti Projek Transit Kem yang kontroversial itu.

Apakah barangkali masaalahnya projek perumahan Kementah yang dilancar awal 90an hingga sekarang masih belum siap?

Abu said...

Dato,

Rupa-rupanya bukan hanya projek perumahan Kementah yang mengalami 'slow-down', bahkan projek-projek perumahan di Kem Wardieburn dan Kem Sg Besi juga mengalami nasib serupa.Semua projek tersebut di bawah pengurusan Syarikat Perumhan Negara.

Mungkin benar spekulasi sesuatu yang tidak 'betul' sedang atau pun telah berlaku.

Unknown said...

Dato'

New Wisma Pegawai but have a look at Wisma Bintara down the hill. It is in a very pathetic state. Don't they deserve a better living condition !!!