PETALING JAYA: Extensive repair work had to be carried out at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Putrajaya due to physical and electrical damage at the building, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       He clarified that the repairs at Seri Perdana were approved during his administration when he was the prime minister.

       He said when he was appointed prime minister in March 2020, he received a report from the Prime Minister’s Department that there was physical damage in Seri Perdana.

       “These damage comprised leaks, old lighting systems as well as the flooring and roof that were either damaged or worn out.

       “The leaks in the Seri Perdana roof and the piping system had damaged the built-in furniture, wooden flooring, wall panels and the building’s ceiling.

       “I was also informed that the electrical wiring, lighting and other equipment such as the air-conditioners also needed to be repaired as they were too old,” he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Sept 30).

       Muhyiddin said that construction experts had said that the wiring system in the Seri Perdana building was more than 20 years old and could pose a fire risk if they were not immediately repaired.

       As such, he said the bulk of the cost at Seri Perdana involved construction work, electrical and mechanical wiring.

       “The size of the Seri Perdana complex, which covers an area of more than 56,000 sq feet, was also why the cost of repairing the government-owned building was quite high.

       “The decision to renovate Seri Perdana was made to preserve the government-owned building to its original condition as it is the symbol of the institution of the head of government and the country’s image.

       “If the building is not repaired immediately, the government heritage building will suffer more severe damage in the future and this will increase the cost of repairs,” he added.

       Muhyiddin noted that the repair works were closely monitored by a task force consisting of officers from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Prime Minister’s Department.

       “I believe that the PWD and the Prime Minister’s Department, which are directly involved in the refurbishment of Seri Perdana, have detailed information on the implementation of this project.

       “In line with the principles of transparency and integrity practised by the government, the relevant departments can come forward to provide clarification to the public on this matter,” Muhyiddin said.

       He also disclosed that he had never stayed at Seri Perdana during his tenure as prime minister.