By Erda Khursyiah Basir
KUALA LUMPUR: Since the movement control order (MCO) was first imposed in March 2020, Malaysians have been through different phases of lockdown as the government grappled with the spread of Covid-19.
Businesses and the economy in general were badly affected by Covid-19 and the measures implemented to try to control it, and the construction sector was one of the hardest-hit.
Among the challenges faced by most contractors include shortage of workers, rising cost of raw materials and capital-related issues or cash flow problems especially in securing supply of building materials. The delay and suspension of almost all construction activities over a long period of time, especially during the MCO also resulted in an oversupply of sick and abandoned projects.
Malaysia’s transition from pandemic to endemic phase on April 1, 2022 signalled the start of economic recovery, with the overall 2022 construction sector staging a rebound – as the industry players did not have to incorporate stringent standard operating procedures on health and safety measures (SOPs) at construction sites.
On Aug 9, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said the construction sector in the second quarter of 2023 (2Q2023) expanded for the fifth straight quarter since 2Q2022, reporting an increase of 8.1per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in value of work done to RM32.4 billion.
In a statement, chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the value of work done in the residential buildings sub-sector rebounded to 6.9 per cent in 2Q2023 from a 2.2 per cent contraction registered in 1Q2023.
He also said the value of work done for non-residential buildings came in at RM9.9 billion (30.7 per cent) for 2Q2023, while value for work done for residential buildings stood at RM7.3 billion (22.7 per cent).
Start-to-end process
In facing the challenges in the construction industry, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) had been tirelessly promoting the Building Information Modelling (BIM) since 2016. This technology has shown its effectiveness in aiding and facilitating construction projects across the globe.
BIM was also one of the key drivers of post-pandemic recovery in construction, with the sector contributing 8.7 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2022.
The modelling technology integrates a set of processes to produce, communicate, analyse, and use digital information models throughout the construction project lifecycle.
It is an intelligent 3D model-based process that provides architecture, engineering and construction professionals the insight and tools to more effectively plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure.
Besides providing better visualisation even the minimal initial details, the use of the 3D software helps save time of between 15 to 20 per cent during planning and designing, depending on the design and project construction.
According to CIDB E-Construct Services Sdn Bhd (CIDBEC) chief executive officer Rofizlan Ahmad, many construction projects were faced with a shortage of workers due to movement restrictions and safety concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“BIM addresses this challenge in the construction industry as it is a highly collaborative process for planning, designing and constructing facilities within a 3D model and helps reduce the physical presence at the work site. BIM also ensures that the construction stage on site goes smoothly even with the presence of a limited staff.
“Valuable information about various elements of a construction project is enabled directly through BIM, allowing construction companies to make decisions based on the information and minimise project delays due to disruptions in the global supply chain,” he told Bernama recently.
On June 26, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said, the ministry has to date implemented 297 projects using BIM and Industrial Building System (IBS) methods nationwide.
He said BIM and IBS in road and building projects had improved construction quality and productivity because the design could be standardised to expedite the construction process.
According to Nanta, the proposal to use BIM and IBS to the maximum in the construction sector is a high-impact strategy that can reduce the construction sector’s dependence on foreign workers through competence and adaptation of technology.
Rofizlan said the Covid-19 pandemic also saw industry players tightening safety and health measures at construction sites to curb infections among the workers.
“BIM also helps minimise the spread of the virus through the planning and implementation of safety measures such as social distancing, identifying high risk areas and optimising work flow to facilitate virtual training and safety inspection and to reduce the need for physical interaction.
“In dealing with rising construction material prices as well as higher costs of a project, BIM can generate an accurate estimate of the quantities and costs related to the construction of a work, analyses the cost implications from design changes and optimise the use of materials in addition to helping in project scheduling as well as resource allocation,“ he said adding that, BIM adoption can help evaluate the sustainability of a project as planned.
Industry 4.0 technology
Based on CIDB’s Building Information Modelling 2021 Report, Malaysia recorded an adoption rate of 55 per cent as of 2021 compared to developed nations such as the United States (80 per cent-Global BIM Survey 2021) and the United Kingdom (73 per cent- NBS, UK BIM Report 2020).
However, BIM adoption rate in the country’s construction sector is higher compared to Japan, China, Poland, Estonia, Czech Republic and Russia.
Rofizlan said through BIM, industry players are encouraged to reduce the impact of energy use in line with sustainable development practices.
“BIM software can improve a project’s resource efficiency by preventing excess waste and produce high-quality outcomes, helps to raise Malaysian buildings’ efficiency and standards with green technology elements incorporated in the construction specifications.
“In a nutshell, BIM ensures that data is accurate, provides an overall view of a project to reduce the risk of design errors, identifies potential conflicts as well as optimises project workflow, hence ensuring the industry’s efficiency for the future,” he added.
On the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), Rofizlan said the data evolution is going to be transformational for the construction industry in line with the current technology trends.
This includes the use of Internet of Things (IoT) which refers to a network of devices that can collect and share data through the internet.
With IoT, construction companies can monitor the performance and status of a project in real-time to maximise efficacy and efficiency in construction projects.
“In IR4.0, the large or complex set of data generated from the construction industry requires advanced analytics systems to process and manage. Big data analytics is important as it helps companies leverage their data to identify opportunities for improvement such as monitoring the performance of a project, optimising resource utilisation and predicting risks.
“Besides that, virtual reality and augmented reality allows users to view and interact with the building model in a virtual or real environment. This helps in a better understanding of a visual design, expedite the construction process and reduce the risk of errors,” he added.
On the use of robotic technology, Rofizlan said it can boost productivity and occupational safety while automatically helping to reduce the use of work manuals which tend to be repetitive as well as to strengthen operational safety.
“In IR4.0, priority is given to enhance energy efficiency and sustainable measures. Focus is given to green technology such as environmentally friendly and energy saving solutions and renewable energy. The use of smart energy management system and green technology can help reduce the negative impact on the environment and boost energy efficiency.
“Besides that, blockchain technology is also used to increase trust and transparency in the construction sector. Through the technology, every transaction and important document is safely kept, hence minimising fraud risks and ensuring transparency in a construction project,” he said.
Supply side policy
Meanwhile a senior lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)’s School of Economics, Finance and Banking, Muhammad Ridhuan Bos Abdullah said the call by the government that more contractors use IBS and BIM to boost productivity in the construction sector in addition to the provision of incentives also contributed to enhanced safety standards and the productive outcome for a construction project.
On the road to recovery for the construction sector after the pandemic, he said the synergy between the Ministry of Works (KKR), CIDB and the relevant parties are crucial towards achieving sustainable growth for the sector including for investments in residential buildings sub-sector.
He said it can also be implemented through the supply side policy which refers to the government fiscal growth policy through taxation and government incentives to boost production capacity, and contributing to an increase in aggregate supply and GDP growth.
“The supply side policy is the government’s policy of stimulating economic activities in terms of reducing over-regulation and promoting technological growth by strengthening production capacity in the economy. For example, the supply side policy is a tax relief for manufacturers in the form of subsidy to balance production cost.
“This policy will boost aggregate supply despite minimum contribution to the GDP. As an example, the government through fund injections under the expansionary fiscal policy focused on a policy that makes it compulsory for the construction of affordable homes or the People’s Housing Project (PPR) in all housing schemes approved in Kuala Lumpur.
“This provides confidence for developers to start the construction of residential buildings sub-sector. Besides that, several initiatives under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to develop several sick and abandoned housing projects also contributed to the growth in the construction sector,” he added.
Describing the construction of buildings especially sustainable and comfortable homes and to meet the living standards of the urban community should be given priority Muhammad Ridhuan said, frequent problems such as floods especially in the Klang Valley lately as well as the issue on meeting the challenge of a low carbon city development which is difficult to achieve should be given attention.
He said climate change due to uncertain weather conditions that are difficult to forecast as well as the town and migration resulted in urban areas becoming densely populated, should be addressed, in terms of planning and regulatory aspects through joint efforts with the local authorities (PBT).
“KKR should work together to expand cooperation with several stakeholders such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). To address the rapid urbanisation challenges based on demographic changes such as ageing issue and the demands of the younger generation, concerted efforts are needed among institutions as well as seeking the views of stakeholders including academicians for effective results,” he added. – BERNAMA
