KUCING: Forty-five of the 60 "sick projects" under the Works Ministry are being rehabilitated with most of them due for completion early next year.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng said yesterday that the ministry had two more years to rehabilitate the remaining 15 projects.

These are projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, and the term "sick projects" refers to those that remain uncompleted more than three months after their completion date.

Speaking after declaring open the new multi-purpose hall of SK Batu Lintang here, Yong cited the rising cost of building materials, in particular cement and steel, as the main cause for projects not being completed on schedule.

He said the rising cost had placed a financial strain on the contractors.

"Some encountered technical problems and some logistics, like getting building materials to the site."

On projects in Sarawak, Yong said the completion of three district offices in the rural areas of the state had been delayed because they were dogged by logistical and technical problems.

"The buildings were to be built on peat soil and getting the earth and sand to fill the land has been a logistical nightmare as transportations is problem."

He said the projects were expected to completed early next year.