Contractor encouraged business picking up, puts plan to quit on hold

SIBU: A contractor involved in house repairs and renovations is putting his plan to quit the sector on hold as his business is slowly picking up.

The sub-contractor, who wished to be identified as Tang, said that he received bookings for house renovations or repairs after the government announced the replacement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) with Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).

Tang, 50, had expressed his intention to quit the sector in anticipation of zero business due to the Covid-19 pandemic in April, to focus on his other businesses.

Besides the construction sector, he is also involved in passion fruit planting and chicken rearing at his 10-acre farm at Mile 14 Oya Road and Stabau Road.

“Some of my clients have prepared a budget for house renovations or repairs prior to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18. House renovations or repairs were not allowed during the MCO so they had to wait until the government eased the restrictions,” he said when contacted.

Tang said he has hired 13 workers to do renovation of houses in four places in Sibu town at the moment.

Although his construction business is getting better, he said he will give priority to passion fruit planting and poultry rearing because of the good market in the food business.

“With the current economy situation, I am not certain of the construction sector’s prospect. People are saving their money for any uncertainties in this difficult time,” he said.