KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty subcontractors for the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) project has roped in Thomas Philip, a dispute resolution law firm, to recover over RM100 million in outstanding payments.
The firm said its goal is to recover the outstanding payments owed to the subcontractors as no solution has been reached yet.
"Following disputes between Turnpike Synergy Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) and the main contractor for the DASH highway, Panzana Enterprise Sdn Bhd, in March 2021, the subcontractors were ordered to stop work and leave the site without any prior notice, despite having completed nearly 90 per cent of the project," it said.
One of the subcontractors, Pembinaan Mohamed Nazir Meraslam Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazir Meraslam said the extended financial difficulties had led to considerable stress and uncertainty among employees and stakeholders.
"Our commitment to this project has been unwavering, yet we are left bearing the financial burden and unjust delays in payment," he added.
Thomas Philip founder and managing partner Mathew Thomas Philip said the firm had organised multiple meetings and proposed settlement plans to recover the outstanding debts, aiming to reach a comprehensive agreement for all parties involved.
"Despite numerous attempts at negotiation, the subcontractors' plight remains unresolved and unanswered," he said.
Philip pointed out that despite the DASH highway being accessible to the public, numerous subcontractors involved in its construction have yet to receive payment for their work.
"The DASH subcontractors continue to face severe hardships that impact their families, employees, agents and suppliers due to unpaid work," he continued.
The New Straits Times has reached out to Prolintas for comment.