KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIA’S construction sector will be transformed into a modern, highly productive and sustainable industry under the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP) blueprint launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, here, yesterday.
The CITP, spearheaded by the Works Ministry and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), also aims to strengthen Malaysian companies to compete with international players.
“The construction industry has proven its mettle in terms of physical and economic achievements. But in order for the industry to sustain the virtuous circle, it must take a leap and transform,” said Najib when launching the CITP at the 14th International Construction Week.
The blueprint, which forms part of the 11th Malaysia Plan, encompasses 18 initiatives under four strategic thrusts.
The four thrusts focus on ingraining quality, safety and professionalism into the industry; ensuring environmental sustainability measures are in place at the design, construction and subsequent maintenance of buildings, cities and infrastructure; raising overall productivity level of the industry; and, focusing on improving the competitiveness and subsequent ability of construction players to internationalise.
To ensure quality, for example, the CITP will push for adoption of the Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC), which measures the quality of workmanship in building construction.
“The CITP targets to make QLASSIC mandatory in all government projects by 2018. But I urge that all government projects start now and take the lead in implementing a high level of quality,” said Najib.
More stringent requirements would also be introduced to ensure accidents and fatalities were significantly reduced, he said, adding that many clients and contractors had in the past overlooked the expenses needed to ensure adequate safety in the name of cost savings.
The CITP envisions the Malaysian construction industry as a low carbon, sustainable building and infrastructure model, especially to Asean member countries.
A Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Construction will be established to develop, promote and implement sustainable construction systems and practices. Irresponsible waste generation is another challenge that the blueprint will address.
“By January 2018, it will be mandated for contractors to comply with waste management programmes, as part of the requirement in Environmental Management Systems certification ISO 14001. This will be implemented in stages, starting with G7 category contractors,” said Najib.
Productivity improvement, meanwhile, will focus on three key drivers — workforce, technology and process.
“To do away with dependency on foreign labour, the government has proposed to enhance human capital development.”
One of the CITP initiatives aims to induce faster adoption of Industrialised Building Systems (IBS) by establishing economic mechanisms and modern practices.
CIDB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Judin Abdul Karim said it was time the nation moved away from a labour-based construction sector towards a mechanised, automated and advanced one.
“A large proportion of the construction workforce consists of low-skilled foreign labour and solutions must come now to have a more healthy and productive industry. One of them is to invest in machines (IBS) which will reduce dependency on foreign workers.”