Latest news with #ICWBorneo
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier urges more Sarawak contractors to register as facility management providers
Abang Johari (fourth right) at the launch of ICW Borneo at BCCK here today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 14): Local contractors are urged to upskill and register as facility management (FM) providers with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to meet the growing demand in Sarawak, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Speaking at the launch of International Construction Week (ICW) Borneo at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday, he said the move is part of the state's holistic sustainability strategy. 'Sustainability does not end when the last brick is laid. It must continue throughout a building's life cycle. 'This is why the Sarawak government is championing professional facility management to ensure safety, efficiency, and longevity of our assets,' he said. Abang Johari noted that over 4,000 government quarters have already been built in Sarawak, with 3,000 more underway, making effective FM crucial. 'Currently, out of over 468 FM contractors in Malaysia, only 17 are registered in Sarawak. That is far from adequate,' he said. He said Works Department (JKR) Sarawak pioneered its first official FM contract in 2024 for the Borneo Cultures Museum, which will set a benchmark for future FM contracts under RMK-13. These include the State Legislative Assembly Complex, Integrated Administrative Centres in Bintulu, Limbang, and Lawas, as well as Federal Gunasama Quarters in Bintulu. He also welcomed CIDB's initiative to organise a dedicated FM seminar and training as a follow-up to ICW Borneo. 'We want to develop what we call gunasama (shared use), where we will build housing for our officers in a sort of gated community. 'For example, it will be used by both state and federal officers. We have many doctors in the districts. We have to provide good quarters for the doctors,' Abang Johari added. He said the quarters would include condominiums or apartments with all the basic facilities.
Borneo Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Abg Jo: Sarawak-owned universities to introduce engineering degree in construction management, free for eligible Sarawakians
Abang Johari delivers his speech at ICW Borneo. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 13): The Sarawak government will introduce the Bachelor of Engineering in Construction Management at Sarawak-owned universities beginning next year, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 'This is a new discipline where we will provide education in the field of construction and construction management,' he told reporters after launching International Construction Week (ICW) Borneo here today. He explained that the course is in line with the state's push for a low carbon industry, as construction is one of the sectors that contributes to carbon emissions. 'We need to find new methods, such as using green materials, and also implement low carbon footprint approaches in the building industry. 'For instance, the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) will help achieve this,' he said. Abang Johari added that eligible Sarawakians can pursue the course at no cost. 'Next year, we will send our students who are eligible to study in our universities under the free tertiary education,' he said. Abang Johari said the Bachelor of Engineering in Construction Management is among the first disciplines of its kind introduced in Borneo and will be offered at University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak. 'UTS in Sibu and Swinburne are ready. iCATS is not yet ready. By next year, we will start,' he added.
Borneo Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Abang Johari: Sarawak partners with LSE to explore natural capital
Abang Johari visiting the booths at the ICW Borneo exhibitions at BCCK today – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 13): Sarawak is collaborating with the London School of Economics (LSE) to explore the concept of natural capital, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Speaking to reporters after launching International Construction Week (ICW) Borneo at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today, Abang Johari said discussions were held with top LSE lecturers during a visit to the institution on May 1. 'We had a discussion on environmental, social and governance (ESG), sustainability, and a new concept called natural capital. 'It refers to our natural assets, which we must preserve, but at the same time, we must assign value to them,' he said. He explained that the value of natural capital depends on the capacity of a nation's human capital. 'Human capital must be made up of people who are creative and innovative—people who can add value to our assets. So, natural capital and human capital combine,' he said. Abang Johari added that Sarawak formed its own discussion group during the visit, while the LSE academics formed theirs. 'In Borneo, in the tropics, we are the richest in natural capital, like our rainforests and all that. 'So, we have to have a way on how to manage our natural capital on a global scale,' he said. When asked who is heading the committee, Abang Johari said the matter is still being discussed. 'We are looking into it but that day, together with me, were the Deputy Minister of Education and the State Secretary. 'We will discuss on that. This is something new,' he said. abang johari lead London School of Economics natural capital
Borneo Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: Imminent Petronas-Petros agreement to see recognition of sole aggregator, S'wak's increased LNG stake
Abang Johari is seen at ICW Borneo. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 13): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expecting an agreement involving Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) to be announced within the coming days. 'Just wait two more days. A document on the agreement between us and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be released,' he told reporters after launching International Construction Week (ICW) Borneo at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today. Offering a glimpse of what is to come, Abang Johari said the deal will include mutual recognition of both federal and state laws. He also revealed that Petros will be recognised as the sole aggregator and that Sarawak will increase its stake in liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a commercial arrangement. 'Just wait. I'm only giving you a hint for now. I'll tell you more soon,' he added. MORE TO COME LNG stake Petronas Petros sole aggregator
Borneo Post
23-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
ICW Borneo 2025 to spotlight S'wak as hub for sustainable, innovative construction this May 13
Noryani says the event will serve as a strategic platform for industry players to global innovations while advancing local sustainability agendas. KUCHING (April 24): The International Construction Week (ICW) is set to make its East Malaysian debut with ICW Borneo 2025, highlighting Sarawak's growing prominence in construction and infrastructure innovation. Organised by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia in collaboration with Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the event will be held from May 13-14 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). Themed 'Innovative Construction for a Sustainable Future', the two-day event aims to drive knowledge sharing, partnerships, and address evolving construction sector needs across the region. In an interview with The Borneo Post , CIDB's general manager (Corporate Communication) Noryani Ismail said the event will serve as a strategic platform for industry players to global innovations while advancing local sustainability agendas. 'By hosting ICW in Borneo, we are decentralising access to industry knowledge and opportunities, enabling East Malaysia stakeholders to engage with international trends and solutions more effectively,' she said. 'ICW Borneo is strategically positioned to reinforce Sarawak's emerging role in driving the future of construction, with a special focus on both infrastructure development and green initiatives.' She added that Sarawak's transformation through projects like the Pan Borneo Highway, the hydrogen economy, and the state's energy transition agenda makes it an ideal showcase for modern infrastructure, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) – aligned goals. ICW Borneo 2025 will feature the Construction Sustainability Summit, highlighting keynote addresses such as 'Transforming Sarawak: Advancing Sustainable Construction and Renewable Energy for a Greener Future' by state Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and 'Indonesia Rising: The Next Frontier for Construction & Infrastructure' by Dr IrResdiansyah from the Executive Office of the President of Indonesia. It will feature panel discussions on topics such as township planning, mega project implementation, clean power, timber engineering and low-carbon building designs, with participation from Sarawak Energy, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Cahya Mata Cement Sdn Bhd, Gamuda Berhad, Rubner Timber Engineering, as well as Professor Neil Thomas MBE and Professor Patrick Bellew RDI from London. In addition to exhibitions and talks, platforms like BuildXpo and Asean-focused sessions will encourage strategic networking and regional collaboration, linking Sarawak's construction sector to wider global markets. As the countdown begins, ICW Borneo 2025 promises to be a landmark event that sets the stage for the future of Malaysia's construction industry – one that is sustainable, digital-ready, and globally connected. For more information or to register, visit ICW Borneo International Construction Week Kuching lead
