KUALA LUMPUR: The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) hopes the government would allocate a RM500 million incentive in the upcoming Budget 2018 for the adoption of Industrialised Building System (IBS) technology.
Its chief executive Datuk Ir Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid says the scheme is vital for the IBS adoption to be made mandatory in the construction industry by 2020 among producers and contractors.
“With the scheme’s availability, we expect more IBS producers and contractors to provide sufficient supply for the IBS components,” he says after a media briefing on The Public Works Department (JKR) Driving Construction Transformation Through Public Projects, here, today.
Ahmad Asri says the scheme would support the government’s initiative under the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP) in achieving the highest quality.
CITP comprises four strategic thrusts, namely quality, safety and professionalism, environmental sustainability, productivity, and internationalisation.
“We need to promote the IBS technology widely in the construction industry. The incentive would add more small companies’ involvement in IBS manufacturing in terms of moulding, automation and robotic,” he adds.
Ahmad Asri says the scheme would also boost the supply of IBS components to other property developers, thereby allowing a better utilisation rate in the sector.
CIDB is also hopeful the government would reduce mechanisation tax rate from 20 to five per cent, in a bid to promote the IBS technology.
“IBS technology involves higher utilisation of machinery equipments, which in turn would reduce the labour cost in the construction sector,” he says.
The adoption of IBS would enable the rakyat easier access for affordable housing without compromising on quality and timing.
IBS system embraces modern technology that can reduce wastage and raise productivity.
Meanwhile, JKR director-general Datuk Seri Ir Dr Roslan Md Taha says the department is committed to the adoption of “Gerbang Nilai” — a construction review process that enhances construction quality and productivity levels.
Introduced in the 10th Malaysia Plan, Gerbang Nilai seeks to endure every level of construction from planning to design, construction and submission based on the set specifications and the desired quality.
“JKR’s commitment to adopt Gerbang Nilai for projects under our supervision is a step in the right direction.
“We seek to guarantee the highest level of quality of construction for the rakyat,” he adds.
Roslan says contractors who do not meet the required specifications would either have the contracts cancelled or undergo a strict audit process.
“We aim to spearhead positive change by encouraging industry players, public and private to undertake state-of-the-art construction methodologies,” he adds.
Ahmad Asri says CIDB would continue to support its strategic partners from the public and private sectors to accelerate the transformation of the construction industry.