‘IBS system speeds up construction’
PETRA JAYA: The Barisan Nasional government adopted the industrialised building system (IBS) to rebuild and upgrade dilapidated rural schools in Sarawak as it can speed up the construction process.
Former works minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the previous government had decided to utilise IBS due to the urgency to rebuild and repair more than 100 schools throughout the state.
“When I was the works minister, the first phase of the project involved 116 schools, whereby 50 schools were under the Public Works Department (PWD).”
A total of 13 contractors had been appointed to carry out 13 work packages,” he said at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Complex here yesterday.
The remaining 66 schools, Fadillah said, were under the Education Ministry.
He did not have the details or latest status of the projects.
“We adopted the system as it was faster (to complete school projects).
“All the 50 projects implemented by PWD were scheduled to be completed on June 27,” said the Petrajaya member of parliament.
“I’m confident that the new government would allow the school projects to be continued as it is for the children’s education.”
Last week, Pakatan Harapan Sarawak urged the state government not to upgrade rural schools using IBS as the matter had caused damage to roads by trucks transporting the IBS materials.
Besides, it said, IBS was not suitable for schools in rural areas as different locations required different designs and would result in high transportation costs.