KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya Corp (PPj), which has developed 10 central parks costing RM744.93 million as at December 2011, came under scrutiny for having inadequate maintenance of the facilities and level of security.

According to the  Auditor-General’s (AG) report, facilities such as the exhibition equipment in the interpretive visitors centre of Botanical Park, Putrajaya, valued at RM3.96 million was not functioning while the level of security in the park that is handled by five private companies was unsatisfactory resulting in assets such as dust bins and lightning arrestor missing.

To manage these weaknesses, the AG recommended that PPj appoint only contractors who can provide complete and adequate machinery and equipment should be considered for the job.

Also, the cost of park maintenance agreement that includes the cost of machinery and equipment used for maintenance works should be revised.

As for security, the measures should be reviewed and immediate action taken to ensure that the assets and facilities, as well as the safety of visitors are safe-guarded.

The AG’s report also highlighted that follow up actions with the security company should be taken on the replacement of lost assets to ensure assets and facilities in Putrajaya parks are in good conditions and properly maintained for the benefit of visitors.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on Oct 16, 2012.