Former Director General of JKR, which planned and built schools nationwide, Tan Sri Zaini Omar, said that RM 2.6 million for constructing a school classroom was way too high.
In 2000, when Zaini was heading JKR, the estimated cost was about RM 100 per square foot for constructing a classroom. With costs doubled, the total cost for a classroom will currently be about RM 200 per square foot. So, now the total cost for a classroom will RM 90,000 (RM200 x 450 square feet/per classroom).
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek denied Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin’s claim that costs up to RM2.6 million per classroom.
Fadhlina said the claim made by the DAP MP was incorrect and that her ministry’s processes in the construction of classrooms followed standard regulations set by the government.
“All working processes require a job scope, consultation and work standards that must be achieved by the education ministry in completing the projects,” Fadhlina told the media last week.
Two weeks ago, Yeo told the Dewan Rakyat the average cost of building a classroom ranged from RM1.8 million to RM2.6 million, saying it was equivalent to the price of a luxury condominium.
The former minister called on the government to ensure more prudent spending on school infrastructure projects.
Zaini said he couldn’t comment on statements by Yeo or Fadhlina, without looking at the basis and estimates on which those statements were made.
But Zaini said there would be cost/price differences with schools implemented by JKR.
“JKR use in-house expertise and JKR staff all over d country for supervision. Designs are Standard designs. The Education Ministry would, most likely, engage Consultants for design and supervision, and costs could be increased through the engagement of consultants,” said Zaini, who was, from 2000 to 2005, the President of the Board of Engineers Malaysia.
Zaini was appointed the Head of The Special Unit for Overseas Projects at Unit Perancang Ekonomi until 2009. In November 1986, he obtained his Professional Engineer status from the Board of Engineers, Kuala Lumpur. In September 1988, he was admitted and enrolled as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court in Malaya. In April 2003, he was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) by University Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia.
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