KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): The Malaysian government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that people-centric infrastructure projects continue despite escalating costs driven by the global energy crisis linked to tensions in West Asia.
Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said project implementation will be adjusted pragmatically, taking into account real-time site conditions and cost pressures. This includes revising project scopes where necessary to ensure sustainability without compromising essential public needs.
Among the measures being considered by the Ministry of Works Malaysia is scaling down project scope, particularly for G1 to G4 contractors involved in federal road maintenance and repair. For instance, a RM1 million road project initially covering one kilometre may be shortened if it has not yet commenced, aligning with current cost realities.
The ministry is also working closely with agencies such as the Public Works Department Malaysia and the Construction Industry Development Board to implement an immediate action plan. This includes monitoring the impact of rising fuel prices on key construction inputs such as bitumen, steel, cement and logistics.
Data collected from these efforts will support faster decision-making, including adjustments to project scope, extensions of time and rescheduling for projects affected by supply chain disruptions.
At the same time, the government aims to sustain opportunities for local contractors, particularly small and medium-sized firms, by focusing on maintenance and appropriately scaled projects. This approach ensures a steady pipeline of work while helping contractors navigate rising operational costs.
In line with its transformation agenda, the ministry is accelerating the adoption of technologies such as Industrialised Building System (IBS), Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital monitoring to improve efficiency, reduce waste and minimise reliance on costly logistics.
Separately, progress is being made on the rollout of open toll payment systems using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Currently, nine toll plazas involving 78 lanes are operational, supported by the JustGo platform. Since January, about 28,000 users have registered, generating over 400,000 transactions.
The system has operated smoothly so far, with plans to expand towards full multi-lane free flow implementation by 2027.
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