Gov targets use of at least 70% of pre-fabricated materials in projects by 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is targeting that all public projects costing RM10 million and above, and private projects costing RM50 million and above, use at least 70% pre-fabricated materials by 2020, in line with its drive to make Malaysia a developed nation.
This was announced by Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadilah Yusof, who delivered the opening remarks for the International Construction Week 2016 for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, yesterday.The conference will run until April 15, 2015.
Fadillah in delivering the speech said the push for the mass adoption of Industralised Building Systems (IBS) will reduce reliance on foreign workers in the construction industry while creating skilled jobs for locals.
He said IBS can also reduce construction costs, enhance worker safety, and ensure that all building components conform to stringent quality assurance requirements, as well as help the government build 653,000 affordable homes under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
In line with the government's announcement, Construction and Industry Development Board (CIDB) chief executive Datuk Asri Abdul Hamid said it has proposed that the Urban Wellbeing, Local Government and Housing Ministry make it compulsory for private sector projects worth RM50 million and above incorporate at least 50% of pre-fabricated materials by 2018.
"One of the plans that we have is to eventually make IBS compulsory. Private projects have to submit their plans to the local government for approval first, and we are encouraging all local governments to impose IBS requirements in their projects," Asri said at a press conference after the opening ceremony.
He said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Putrajaya Corporation have started imposing IBS requirements but it is yet to make headway with other local governments.
Asri said the private sector's response to IBS has been lacklustre, as only 25% of private construction projects have an IBS score of 50 or above.
Asri attributed the lack of interest on cost concerns and the easy availability of cheap foreign labour.
"This will worsen the over-reliance on foreign labour in the construction industry while the cost of adopting IBS can be lowered by economics of scale.The more pre-fabricated construction material is manufactured, the lower the cost of IBS will be," Asri said.