THE Finance Ministry will seriously consider the restoration of three more blocks of apartments for the Customs Department after having successfully upgraded Block 826 at the Bagan Jermal Customs Quarters in Butterworth.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said he has received Customs’ request to do so after officiating the upgrading ceremony of Block 826 consisting of eight units on Jan 4.
He said the Bagan Jermal Customs Quarters were built in 1969, but were left unoccupied for about 25 years because the previous administration did not give priority to these buildings.
“We were shocked when we saw the infrastructure that we have. Attention was then given to build new buildings but ignore the old ones,” Lim told a press conference after officiating the upgrading ceremony.
“We’ve to be fair. If we want to build new buildings, we have also to take care of the old ones. This should be the principle for any organisation as well as the government.
“That’s why the government adopts the 3Rs – restore, repair and replace – so that the old buildings can remain functionable.
“Today (Jan 4), I received Customs’ request to upgrade three more blocks. Surely, we will consider it seriously.”
Lim said Block 826, which was restored at a cost of RM438,000 in an open tender exercise, would be ready for occupancy next month.
Also present at the ceremony were Customs director-general Datuk Seri Paddy Abd Halim and state executive councillor Soon Lip Chee, who is also the Bagan Jermal assemblyman.
Story by K.H. Ong