They wanted to see for themselves the upgraded alternative road to his residence, which the works ministry said had cost RM1.4 million.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said he and Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming had gone there to inspect the work and determine if it was really worth RM1.4 million.
“When we approached the guard house, we noticed someone taking pictures and videos of us using his handphone. So we greeted him, and he said he was a family member of Pandikar’s.
“We asked if we could come in to inspect the compound of the residence, but he said we could not because Pandikar wasn’t home. We then asked him to show us the 100 metres of road that cost RM1.4 million.
“He showed us the front entrance and said it went on until the back entrance. We also asked about the security systems but he wouldn’t comment,” Lim said when contacted.
The works ministry, in a Dewan Rakyat written reply dated March 23, said the project included drainage and utilities distribution works, electronic fences, security systems and design structure at the entrance.
But Lim said the amount allocated for the project was too high. Even with the expensive land prices in Kuala Lumpur, a bungalow could be built with the same amount of money, he said.
He added that when pressed, the man they spoke to said the original entrance into Pandikar’s residence was at the back, facing a “private road”.
Lim said the man, who refused to give his name, told him that this was a hassle for those coming in and out of the residence.
“We asked what kind of hassle Pandikar faced, and he said, ‘Sometimes they build a hump there’.”
When they inspected the “private road”, Lim said they noticed there were four other houses along the two-way road. It was also lined with Tenaga Nasional lamp posts.
“I don’t think TNB would build so many lamp posts on a private road.”
The MPs are asking that the relevant authorities, including the works ministry, explain this, and also address Pandikar’s claim that he was not involved in the project.
“The government has to disclose if the project was approved without consulting Pandikar first.
“Also, we don’t think the allocation of RM1.4 million was justified. So let us have a closer look, in light of the new ‘nothing to hide’ policy, whether there were really sufficient security systems and electric fences as claimed by the works ministry.
“Because we didn’t see any electric fence when we were there. Just a concrete wall,” Lim said.