KUALA LUMPUR: Contractors whose projects are delayed may see their contracts terminated. 

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said nine contractors were given final warning letters yesterday after a consensus in the cabinet on the matter.

He warned contractors to commence work or provide reasonable explanation within a month, or face the sack.

"We have issued them several warnings," he said after launching the "First Class Work Culture" campaign in his ministry.

The contractors were supposed to start work on projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan costing a total of RM518 million.

The projects are the Alor Star ring road; the pedestrian bridge in front of SRJK (C) Choong Hua, Kuala Langat; surveying, repairing or replacing three bridges on a federal road, Johor; surveying, repairing or replacing a bridge on a federal road, Kelantan; upgrading Phase 1 of Jalan Benta to Jerantut; Phase 2 of the East Coast Highway and Ceneh elevated intersection in Kemaman; construction of road leading to the new Bukit Bunga bridge, Tanah Merah, Kelantan; Phase 2 of Jalan Tok Adis, Kuala Terengganu and construction of the National Herbarium in Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Kepong.

Samy Vellu also announced that the contractor of the Trans Eastern Kedah Interland highway would not be shown the door after it bucked up in the recovery plan. 

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid had appealed for the state-owned contractor, Bina Darulaman Bhd. 

Samy Vellu also told the ministry's staff to buck up. 

"I don't understand why people have to leave the office at 9am after clocking in at 8am for breakfast.

"Don't you have breakfast at home? Do your wives not make you coffee?"