The Public Works Department (JKR) said today that contractors MMN Bina Sdn Bhd – who were granted the RM81.8 million contract to design and build the Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy – will be held responsible for the facility's defects.

JKR was responding to former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who said last week that the department and the contractor should take responsibility for the many defects found on the site.

As of Oct 6, the department said, a total of 833 defects were recorded, 93 of which have been repaired.

"The defects are being actively repaired and will continue throughout the defect liability period until March 30, 2020.

"The contractor is responsible for repairing the defects and all costs will be borne by them," it said.

JKR added that it was closely monitoring the repairs, and promised to take stern action if the contractor failed to fulfil its obligations.

"JKR is committed to resolving this problem with the cooperation of all quarters," it said.

Under the contract, JKR noted, the project should have been completed within 20 months. A further three-month extension to the contract was granted.

However, the contractor was 56 days late, with the project only being completed on March 30, 2018.

JKR added that liquidated and ascertained damages were imposed on the contractor for the 56 days.