Malaysian River Project Management with Maslahah from the Technical Department Perspective

Abstract

River projects implementation in Malaysia is led by Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) or the Department of Drainage and Irrigation. River, water and its preciousness are mentioned in many verses in Qur'an as well as in the Hadith. Indeed, the phenomena of the creation of rainfall from the cloud before touching down to the earth to provide sustainance to all creations including mankind are also stated. Thus, water has a special position in Islam and Muslims lifes that it can be best reflected in the obligatory ablution prior to performing five times daily prayer. However, project delivery continuously confronting issues and challenges in an increasingly stringent, dynamic, complex business requirements, time consuming Planning and approval processes with many uncertainties and risks involved. With project delays , cost overruns and issues relating to quality, public expectation, ethics, integrity, the effective governance of such public projects are questionable. On the other hand, the persistent efforts by the Government of Malaysia towards the practice of Islamic principles are prominent. Indeed, Islam is a way of life than merely a religion that it covers all facets of affairs and lifes. It provides the most comprehensive guidance in all spheres including project management. Project management needs new approach that to be enriched with extra dimension of spiritual, tauhid, human driven to give 'soul' aims not only achieving the worldly project objectives and success but the ultimate success in the Hereafter. This paper proposes the application Project Management with Maslahah to achieve both success. The methodology employs multiple approaches; literature review, the preliminary concept has been presented in two (2) seminars and a workshop session.