PKBM BIM Satellite Centre to boost digital construction skills in Malaysia
Located in Section 13, Shah Alam, the training centre aims to equip contractors with skills in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other advanced technologies.
PKBM president Datuk Dr Azman Yusoff highlighted the centre's collaboration with CIDB E-Construct Services Sdn Bhd, which donated 15 computers for training programmes.
'Terms like BIM, IoT, and drone mapping are common globally, but many Malaysian contractors are still adapting,' he said during the PKBM Sixth Annual General Meeting.
Azman noted that limited access to resources and support has slowed technology adoption among local contractors.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan attended the event, underscoring government support for digital transformation in construction.
The centre will begin operations next month, initially training PKBM contractors to reduce reliance on foreign labour.
Azman stressed that digitalisation is now a necessity for survival in the competitive construction industry.
He urged Bumiputera contractors to step out of their comfort zones to remain professionally competitive.
PKBM also proposed reducing tender margins from 15% to 10% to align with current market conditions.
The association called for the reinstatement of the Variation of Price (VOP) mechanism to manage sudden material cost hikes.
Azman praised CIDB and DOSM's collaboration in monitoring construction material prices to prevent market manipulation.
He expressed hope for increased budget allocations for small contractors in the upcoming 2026 Budget. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Chong Wei bowled over by detailed five-year BAM development plan
PETALING JAYA: It was never easy trying to lure Datuk Lee Chong Wei back into the fold of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). For years since his 2019 retirement, the nation's greatest shuttler kept a respectful distance, politely turning down repeated offers to rejoin the body, preferring instead to contribute on his own terms. But on Saturday, BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz finally achieved what no one else could. So what made him have a change of heart? It was the detailed blueprint called 'Tangkis 2030' that was unveiled by Tengku Zafrul during the council meeting on Saturday. The five-year plan covers BAM's ambitions, covering not just the elite squad but the entire badminton ecosystem. And it convinced him to return as an independent council member. 'To be honest, I was surprised at how detailed and long-term his plan is,' said Chong Wei when contacted. 'This is the first time I've seen a BAM president with such a roadmap. In less than 100 days, he's presented a clear vision, and I can see he is sincere about lifting Malaysian badminton. ALSO READ: Boon Heong: BAM must give Chong Wei more power "Even while still serving as Miti (Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry) Minister until the end of the year, he has worked hard to put this plan together and engaged with all stakeholders to ensure his vision can be carried out 'That is why I've agreed to use my knowledge and experience to help him and Malaysian badminton,' said the 41-year-old legend. 'In the past, many people had asked me to come back to BAM, but I feel that the plan drawn up by Tengku Zafrul is one that covers many aspects," said Chong Wei. 'Tangkis 2030' is built around five key missions: reclaiming the Thomas Cup by 2026, winning Olympic gold at Los Angeles 2028, producing world No. 1s in at least three events, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of champions, and driving badminton as a pillar of a healthier Malaysia. A flagship programme, 'Road to Thomas Cup', targets ending Malaysia's 34-year drought in Horsens, Denmark, next year. To strengthen BAM's foundations, Zafrul has also roped in three other heavyweights: former NTV7 and Celcom CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly (branding and marketing), Tan Sri Gooi Hoe Soon (finance), and Datuk Sunil Abraham (legal).
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Ekuinas Empowers 19 Bumiputera SMEs Under ILTIZAM Catalyst 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) has empowered 19 Bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have strengthened their performance and elevated their businesses through ILTIZAM Catalyst 2024, a flagship programme under ILTIZAM's Entrepreneurship pillar. In a statement today, Ekuinas chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said that over the past nine months, these companies had undergone a structured transformation. He said the programme focused on strengthening their business foundations across four areas — financial management and compliance, branding and digital marketing, technology adoption, and leadership.
Focus Malaysia
7 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Closing the gap between vision and implementation in NIMP 2030
Letter to Editor MALAYSIA's National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, launched recently, is undoubtedly a policy born of necessity and ambition. It recognises a fundamental truth: the linear 'take-make-dispose' model is economically and environmentally bankrupt for a resource-hungry nation. The vision – transforming Malaysia into a regional leader in sustainable, high-value manufacturing through circularity – is not just commendable; it's essential. However, since the launch, the gap between this laudable vision and the gritty reality of implementation reveals significant hurdles that demand urgent attention. Malaysia is heavily import-dependent for critical raw materials. Circular strategies (remanufacturing, recycling, resource efficiency) directly mitigate supply chain risks and price volatility. Moving beyond low-margin commodity exports towards high-value circular services (product-as-a-service, advanced recycling, reverse logistics) promises new revenue streams and jobs. Addressing rampant waste (especially plastic and e-waste), pollution, and carbon emissions is crucial for public health, ecosystem preservation, and meeting climate commitments. As major markets (EU, US, Japan) impose stricter circularity standards and carbon border adjustments (CBAM), Malaysian exports must adapt to remain competitive. The NIMP positions industries proactively. The plan's focus on key sectors like E&E, chemicals, aerospace, and medical devices, where circularity can yield significant material savings and innovation, is strategically sound. The emphasis on integrating SMEs into the circular value chain is also vital for inclusive growth. Despite its strong foundation, translating the NIMP's circular ambitions into tangible results faces formidable challenges. While targeting waste as a resource is key, Malaysia lacks the scale and sophistication of collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure needed, particularly for complex waste streams like e-waste or composites. The plastic recycling rate stagnating around 24-28% highlights this gap. Building this infrastructure requires massive, coordinated public and private investment far beyond current commitments. Shifting entire industrial processes to circular models demands significant upfront capital. SMEs, the backbone of the economy, struggle to access affordable green financing. While NIMP mentions blended finance, concrete mechanisms to de-risk investments for banks and attract large-scale institutional capital are still nascent. The estimated RM100-150 bil funding gap for NIMP goals looms large. The success of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes – crucial for shifting waste management costs to producers – hinges on robust, consistent regulation and enforcement. Delays in finalising and implementing mandatory EPR frameworks for key sectors create uncertainty and allow laggards to persist with linear models. Policy alignment across federal, state, and local levels remains a persistent challenge. Circular products often face cost disadvantages against virgin materials due to distorted economics (e.g., fossil fuel subsidies). Government procurement policies favouring circular products need strengthening. More importantly, fostering genuine *consumer and B2B demand* for repaired, remanufactured, or recycled-content goods requires overcoming perceptions and building trust in quality and performance. Moving beyond basic recycling to high-value circularity (e.g., chemical recycling, advanced remanufacturing, biomaterials) requires significant R&D and technology adoption. Bridging the 'valley of death' between lab innovation and commercial scale demands targeted support, pilot facilities, and stronger industry-academia collaboration – areas needing acceleration under NIMP. The NIMP's initial stage has likely involved crucial groundwork – setting targets, establishing governance structures (like the NIMP Council), and initiating studies. The real test begins now. To avoid the circular economy becoming merely a buzzword within the master plan, Malaysia must finalise and implement mandatory, sector-specific EPR schemes with clear timelines and enforcement teeth. Streamline permitting for circular economy projects. And move beyond promises to operationalise innovative financing mechanisms (green bonds, guarantees, results-based finance) specifically tailored for circular SMEs and infrastructure projects. Leverage development banks and international green funds aggressively. We need to build infrastructure at scale. Prioritise public investment in integrated waste management and recycling parks, leveraging PPP models where feasible. Focus on closing loops for priority waste streams identified in NIMP. Implement stringent green public procurement rules. Launch awareness campaigns targeting businesses and consumers. Explore fiscal incentives for circular products and disincentives for linear ones. Fostering innovation ecosystems is the way forward. Establish dedicated circular economy innovation hubs with pilot lines. Provide grants and technical assistance for SMEs adopting circular tech. Strengthen linkages between universities, research institutes, and industry. It is important to ensure workforce reskilling programmes are integral to the circular shift, protecting jobs while creating new, higher-quality opportunities. Support SMEs in navigating the transition. Malaysia's NIMP 2030, with its core focus on the circular economy, is a visionary response to global and domestic challenges. It deserves recognition for setting a bold direction. However, vision alone is insufficient. The first year has exposed the sheer scale of the transformation required. The coming year is critical. It must move from planning to unambiguous action, tackling the financing gaps, infrastructure deficits, regulatory hurdles, and market barriers head-on. The circular transition is not merely an environmental add-on; it's the bedrock of future industrial resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. Malaysia has the blueprint. Now, it needs the relentless execution, the political will, and the collaborative spirit to turn its circular vision into reality. The world is moving in this direction; Malaysia's window to lead, not just follow, in the region is open, but it won't stay open forever. The NIMP's success hinges on treating the next year not as a continuation of planning, but as the urgent launchpad for tangible, transformative change. The circular future is not just green; it must be golden for Malaysia. —Aug 17, 2025 The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. Main image: Unsplash
