Redha Services Sdn Bhd, the developer currently undertaking the construction of an administrative building and surau within the compound of the Astana, disclosed that they had received strict orders from the Astana and Public Works Department not to disturb the memorial cross and the graves of notable Brunei Pengirans who were laid to rest at the site…
“We never moved the cross (marble statue) nor disturbed any of the graves at this site which is adjacent to the construction area. The cross is still standing where it is when we first started our project. None of our workers even dare to touch the statue nor the graves.
“We have a small space to begin with, considering the size of the project. We had to place some of our construction materials close to the cross and graves. However, we barricade the area to avoid the statue or the graves from being damaged or tampered with,” he explained”.
Is it not a sign of guilt that the “barricade” put up to supposedly protect the cross was hastily erected AFTER our story about its neglect?
In fact our informant gained confirmation from workers closely connected to the site that this cross had been moved 30 metres from its original position and that the new Surau (mosque) is to be built on the original spot.
The contractor Redha Services should face a number of further questions. Why was a company that is owned by a Mukha councillor and his wife, Abdul Rani b hj Mohd Pauzi paid an astonishing RM17million to build this mini-mosque and administrative building by the state?
Why was there no open tender to see if the job could be done cheaper by someone who was not a key political ally of Taib Mahmud?
Or is it that this councillor and his wife are nominees, not builders after all? Without proper transparency how can people know?