KAPIT, March 4 -- The key representatives of Public Works Department (JKR) from the Putrajaya headquarters and the Sarawak and Sabah offices recently met in Kuching to discuss issues affecting the implementation of federal projects in the two East Malaysian states.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi also attended the meeting to find out the reasons behind these issues and brainstorm ways to address them.

"The meeting in Kuching discussed many things, specifically over the issue of project delays and why this issue kept recurring.

"One take from this meeting was the lack of coordination between the relevant agencies.

"As we know, any delay means extension of project period and with this, escalation of costs.

"Moreover, S...