Contractors told to embrace technology to remain competitive

KUCHING: Bumiputera contractors in the private sector are urged to explore new technologies if they want to remain competitive in the construction industry.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the industry is facing stiff competition, which calls for contractors to be technology-savvy.

“Contractors of today have to compete with many industry players, and to remain competitive, they must be able to adapt to changes.”

Speaking at the Malay Contractors Association of Malaysia ( PKMM) luncheon here on Sunday, Fadillah said the participation of Bumiputera contractors in the private sector had gone down in terms of projects last year, from 12 per cent to 10 per cent.

As such, he suggested that the contractors explore new technologies such as the Industrialised Building System (IBS).

They could apply the IBS technology from countries such as Turkey, which has performed very well in the sector.

“Turkey is the second country in the world behind China which has adopted the IBS technology, and the top in Europe.”

He also called on Bumiputera contractors to form a consortium, and focus on building schools using IBS.

This include school projects which have previously been announced, involving RM1 billion for Sarawak and RM500 million for Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

He said implementing new technology would create healthy competition between contractors and at the same time explore the use of IBS in local projects such as bridges.

“We have many old or dilapidated bridges, which need rebuilding. Perhaps, this can be done with the use of the new technology.”

Fadillah also reminded contractors to avoid being behind schedule in their projects, particularly in those projects that involve the people.

He said when projects are behind schedule, it would not only result in losses to the contractors but the government and the clients as well.

“If we complete the project on schedule, follow the standard and quality set, everyone will benefit.

“That is why we must all cooperate with one another as stakeholders in the construction sector,” he said.

Fadillah’s wife Datin Seri Ruziah Mohd Tahir, PKMM president Dato Mokhtar Samad and its Sarawak president Dato Ismail Suut were also present at the luncheon.