KUALA LUMPUR: The past 12 months have been anything but easy for small contractors due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, causing them to operate and generate income based on a hand-to-mouth basis.
Malaysian Bumiputera Contractors Association president Datuk Azman Yusoff said the numerous measures rolled out by the government through the Works Ministry, however, had mitigated the economic pressure brought about by the pandemic on small contractors.
Azman said the ministry, through the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), had provided assistance to small contractors to remain afloat despite the restrictions as the result of the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
"The (Senior Works) Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof) and his team at the ministry have shown concern about the welfare of contractors, especially those from small companies in sustaining their businesses.
"This was reflected in a series of engagements between the ministry, quality survey consultants and associations to find ways and measures to cushion the impact of the pandemic.
"They also understood the predicament and challenges that small contractors go through in adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) introduced by the government to curb the spread of the outbreak," he said.
He cited the projects made possible following the rolling out of economic stimulus packages worth RM450 million, in which bidding for tender started in November last year, as having helped small contractors to make ends meet.
"I am sure the Public Works Department under the ministry will continue with all the initiatives to help small contractors.
"I hope the contractors will remain calm and avoid being anxious since I am sure there will be more projects rolled out soon.
"At the same time, I call on contractors to comply with the SOP and do our bid to help the government to stop the spread of Covid-19," he said.