Samy Vellu Explains Cause Of Delay In Building Alor Setar Hospital

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- A period of up to one year to verify the strength of the foundation of the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar that was built on former soft padi-growing land was partly contributory to the overall delay in the construction of the facility, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.
"The padi land was soft and the foundation had to go down some 120 feet (36 metres). We needed up to one year to ensure that the foundation was really strong," said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu when replying to a supplementary question from Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong).
Dr Tan had wanted to know the reason for the delay in the construction of several projects of the Works Ministry, including the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.
Samy Vellu said the construction was also delayed by several additions that had to be made to the hospital building because the safety level had to be taken into account at each step of the construction.
"At first, the construction went on as per the time specified in the contract but subsequently there was a request from higher authorities for a hospital such as the National Heart Institute (IJN).