Bad IT project implementation

JPJ's path to IT hits snag

PETALING JAYA: The Road Transport Department's path to advanced information technology has hit a snag, according to the Auditor-General's Report 2010.

Its information technology building (PTM) in Cyberjaya was completed in March 2009 but the revamp of its computer system, which was planned eight years ago, has yet to take place.

There were also hiccups in getting the building ready due to construction delays, water seepage problems, and defects to the walls, ceiling and floors which had to be repaired after the building was completed.

Furthermore, the building, which was to house JPJ's mainframe and become its data and command centre, has no security fence as it had not been declared a "restricted area", the report said.

The report said the tender process for the revamp of its computer software and system took longer than the entire construction period.

The cost of the project, which started on Oct 1, 2007, increased by about RM500,000 to RM50mil. The building was occupied on Dec 7, 2009.

The report noted that the time taken to manage the tender was "too long" and had affected the intended milestone whereby the construction of the PTM building should be in line with the revamp of the computer system to help improve quality of service.

The new ICT system was supposed to be placed in the building by the end of 2007.

The open tender was advertised in August 2007. The RM4.2mil study was mooted in 2003 and conducted from 2004 to 2005.

"However, until the conclusion of the audit, the contract management for the revamp system was still being finalised with the supplier although the building had been completed on March 13, 2009," it said, adding that the contract was signed on Dec 22 last year.

The Finance Ministry approved the purchase of a RM14mil IBM system mainframe in August 2009 to help overcome the problem, the report said.

The Treasury, in its reply, said repairs on defects were completed in June this year and that JPJ had submitted an application the following month to declare the PTM area as restricted.

Source: The Star