MIRI: Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin is appalled by sport facilities which did not meet the expected standards and specifications.
Yesterday, he highlighted the poor quality of a basketball court and a football field which were supposedly new or close to completion.
Lee, who went to the ground for site visits, immediately contacted the finance officer at Miri Resident Office to withhold payment to the contractors.
“Look at the quality of the basketball court, the cement flooring is not even and smooth, in addition to the non-appropriate painting type for a court specification.”
“The contactors said it was completed … however, at the site I could see clearly the ripped off paint on the wall as well as the absence of drainage system with the ground around the court higher than the floor. Imagine, how is it possible for players to play well in this kind of court condition,” Lee said of the basketball court built on a RM70,000 allocation by the government.
He added that he was even more shocked at the football field which was scheduled for completion this month.
Among the shortcomings he highlighted were goal posts without the net, wild bushes on the side of the field, absence of proper spectator’s stand and no ‘access’ route to the field as well as no signage.
The football field and basketball court are located in Senadin and Permyjaya respectively.
Lee said his ministry will not hesitate to blacklist contractors who fail to meet the standards and specifications relating to sport facilities in the state.
He was accompanied at the site visits by Miri City Council’s Ernest Goh.