By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 10: Sarawak recorded Malaysia’s two highest annual increases in cement prices in May with Miri topping the list at 7.5 per cent and Kuching following closely at 7.4 per cent, according to the latest construction cost data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The figures, the highest recorded nationwide, point to mounting construction cost pressures in the State as prices of key building materials continue to trend upwards.
Contained in DOSM’s Special Release for Building and Structural Works, May 2026, the data showed year-on-year cement price increases ranging from 1.0 per cent to 7.5 per cent across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, with Miri and Kuching topping the list.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said cement prices also increased on a monthly basis across all regions, rising between 0.2 per cent and 2.1 per cent in May.
The report further highlighted increases in other major construction materials.
“Steel prices rose between 0.1 per cent and 1.3 per cent month-on-month nationwide, with Sibu and Miri among the areas recording higher increases at 0.8 per cent,” he said in a recent statement.
Sand prices increased between 0.4 per cent and 9.7 per cent compared with April, led by Sandakan at 9.7 per cent. Sibu also recorded a notable increase of 3.7 per cent, matching Johor.
Aggregate prices likewise continued their upward trend, increasing between 0.3 per cent and 4.7 per cent nationwide, with Sandakan registering the highest increase.
Building Cost Index (BCI) data reflected the broader rise in construction costs, with Sarawak recording month-on-month increases of between 0.1 per cent and 1.1 per cent across all building categories. In Sabah, increases ranged from 0.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent.
At the national level, the average price of Ordinary Portland cement rose 0.3 per cent to RM25.95 per 50kg bag in May from RM25.90 in April. The average price of steel bars also increased 0.4 per cent to RM3,517.50 per metric tonne.
The latest figures underscore growing cost pressures on contractors and developers in Sarawak where Miri and Kuching now record the country’s steepest annual increases in cement prices. — DayakDaily
