Marbles and the Matrade fiasco
Malaysiakini.com
Dec 12, 2006
Beh Lih Yi

Those responsible for the costly nine-year delay in constructing the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) building will not be let off the hook because the government does not “main guli” (game of marbles). 

Works Minister S Samy Vellu, who appeared to be in jovial mood in the Dewan Rakyat today, had this response for Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) who had asked whether action would be taken against the architects or engineers. She was debating the Architects (Amendment) Bill 2006.

Samy Vellu at first jokingly replied: “No, we did not take any action, we just let all of them go back home.”

It left the House in stitches, but the minister then took a serious note: “Action has been taken and the case is now pending in court. We don’t main guli. If I main guli, I will have to face action.”

Kok insisted on knowing whether action has been taken against the architects who, she quipped, had “created the problem” for the minister.

Samy Vellu responded: “Action has been meted out. On who was fined, jailed or suspended, you can ask me and I can show you (the list), but you can only look at it, you can’t take it with you.”

There was laughter all round.

Work on the Matrade building started in 1994 with completion scheduled in 1997, but the project suffered several delays and led to the appointment of a new contractor. The original cost of RM167 million shot up to RM287 million. 

Suggestions shot down

In her debate, Kok suggested that an independent person be appointed by the architect’s board to oversee development projects to ensure there is check and balance.

Turning down the suggestion, Samy cited the analogy of a person who consults a doctor for a medical opinion but who does not then go to another doctor for medicine.

Kok retorted: “If you go for surgery, you will get a second or third opinion from other doctors maybe in India, United Kingdom or Australia. Some ministers have done this. The late (11th) King had sought medical treatment in Singapore.”

At this juncture, Tan Kok Wai (DAP-Cheras) was seen whispering to Kok, who started laughing.

“The honourable Cheras MP has just reminded me that someone had a hair transplant in Russia,” Kok said with a grin.

However, Samy Vellu was unperturbed by the insinuation and carried on replying other questions. He has never made a secret of the fact that he owes his full head of hair to a transplant.

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