MIRI: Minister for Transport Sarawak Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin has urged local councils to uphold strong governance by keeping detailed performance records of contractors and ensuring only those with proven track records are considered for future government projects.
Speaking during a site inspection of several ongoing and completed projects under his Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) allocation on Wednesday, Lee praised a contractor who completed a road upgrade project along Jalan Sungai Dalam, Riam, ahead of schedule.
The 1.2-kilometre stretch, originally slated for completion on Aug 8, was delivered nearly a month earlier on Jul 8.
“This is the kind of outcome we want to see — contractors delivering quality work on time, or even earlier,” said Lee, during the visit accompanied by his service centre team and officials from Miri City Council (MCC).
Lee stressed that such performance should not go unnoticed.
“Local authorities must maintain proper records. Contractors with consistent, high-quality output should be given fair consideration for future projects,” he said.
In contrast, he noted that underperforming contractors who are repeatedly late, produce substandard work or create unnecessary problems should not be allowed to continue operating unchecked.
“Sometimes, the biggest challenge in project delivery lies not with the funding or the scope — but with the contractor.
“We’ve seen how non-performing contractors lead to delays, cost overruns, and long-term maintenance issues. That’s why a clear performance monitoring system is crucial,” he added.
Lee also called on MCC to adopt a more systematic approach to contractor evaluation, where merit and past performance become deciding factors in awarding contracts.
“We must create a system that rewards reliability and competence. Good contractors should be empowered and retained — and those falling short must be held accountable,” he said.
During his round of site visits, Lee inspected three RTP and MARRIS-funded roadwork projects:
Completed: Resurfacing of Jalan Tung San Garden (the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS 2025), valued at RM139,700
Ongoing: Upgrading works at Jalan Sungai Dalam, Riam, Miri (RTP 2025), valued at RM300,000
Proposed: Carpark extension works near Riam Methodist Kindergarten, including solutions for electricity pole relocation, in coordination with Sarawak Energy
Lee said he would continue monitoring project implementation under his RTP fund and reiterated his commitment to ensuring public funds are spent effectively.
“Our goal is simple: deliver quality infrastructure that meets the needs of the people — and do so with integrity, efficiency, and accountability.”
