CIDB COMMITTED TO PROMOTING INDUSTY INNOVATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Innovation will be at the forefront of the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) initiative to elevate the local construction industry to new heights.

Its chief executive officer (CEO), Datuk Seri Mohd Zaid Zakaria said that there were 12 new technologies that the agency would support, including building information modelling and drones for project implementation.

“Those are the things that CIDB encourages its players to adopt. And bear in in mind that it applies not only to larger contractors, but also to small entrepreneurs in classes G1, G2, G3, and G4. 

"We encourage them to use more digitalisation as a start. There are many applications that they can use in order to expedite or implement their project more efficiently,” he told reporters at a press conference in conjunction with the Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Awards 2024 (MCIEA 2024) today.

He pointed out that while many construction companies were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also provided them ample opportunity to innovate and strengthen their operations.

"Since then, the construction industry has seen leaps and bounds of projects, led primarily by the private sector, and as for the government, you can see that many projects, particularly infrastructure, are being launched by the government in Budget 2025.

"This will provide a significant input for the private sector to launch many more projects, resulting in a larger and more important construction industry in 2025," he said.

On the MCIEA awards, Mohd Zaid said it was organised to honour the entire construction industry ecosystem, recognising contributions at all levels, from ambitious individual entrepreneurs to large-scale enterprises that have redefined construction excellence. 

This process, he said covered from executing groundbreaking projects to demonstrating high-quality standards, safety and environmental responsibility.

This year, MCIEA awarded five prestigious categories: Prominent Player Award, Builder of the Year Award (G7), International Achievement Award, Best Project Award, and Best Contractor.

Lim Seong Hai Capital Berhad chairman, Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng, was honoured with the highest accolade, the Prominent Player Award, for his pioneering leadership that shaped Malaysia’s built environment through a unique blend of resilience, innovation and social responsibility. 

IAQ Solutions Sdn Bhd bagged "Builder of The Year" for its Testing Manufacturing Plant of the Robert Bosch project, while WCT Berhad received the International Achievement Award for its outstanding completion of the Lusail Development Project in Doha, Qatar. 

Three notable projects also received MCIEA accolades, namely Menara Affin project at Jalan Tun Razak, here, and Pejabat Kerajaan, Parcel F, Presint 1 in Putrajaya, with both respectively received the "Best Project Award - Building (Major Category) 1 & 2”, while the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit: Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Line/Line 2 project received the "Best Project Award - Infrastructure (Major Category)".

In his speech, Lim attributed his Prominent Player Award success to his late father, saying all the hardships he faced at a young age helped to shape his character and success. 

"This award means a lot to me because it allows me to finally prove to my mother and late father that all of my efforts were worthwhile.

“To the younger generation involved in the construction industry, my advice is that time is critical; you must make a decision to ensure that the project is completed on time and according to plan, and for the sake of your employees,” he said. 

Meanwhile, IAQ Solutions Sdn Bhd CEO Tiew Soon Aik said the company’s achievement as "Builder of the Year" reflected its commitment to showcasing Malaysian engineers' capabilities on a global scale, emphasising their skills and knowledge in high-tech industries.

He noted that IAQ, founded in 1990, had been supporting multinational corporations in the semiconductor industry, including major companies such as Intel and Motorola, and currently focusing on projects in Singapore, and Europe, besides Malaysia, such as stringent battery production requirements for electric vehicles.

"We want to show a lot of Western countries that Malaysians can do things better than many European companies. So that is why, today, I believe we can be proud that we are assembling Malaysians who are known around the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank CIDB for their recognition of our work," he said.

-- BERNAMA