By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 4: Federal Minister of Works Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi revealed that Sarawak has only 17 registered facility management (FM) contractors compared to more than 460 FM companies nationwide, describing the sharp disparity as both a challenge and an opportunity for local contractors to expand into the fast-growing sector.
Speaking at a press conference after officiating the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Facility Management Industry Seminar Engagement Day 2025 at a local hotel here today, Nanta said that while the small number of FM players has not disrupted project delivery in the State so far, the sector must scale up to meet demand as Sarawak enters a new phase of rapid growth.
“Only 17 FM firms in Sarawak compared to over 460 across Malaysia is not a weakness but an inspiration and motivation for contractors to enter this field.
“The demand is increasing, and this is the right time for our local players to step up,” he stressed.
He explained that more FM companies would increase competition, which in turn would drive efficiency and lower costs.
“The participation of more than 400 people in this seminar shows the strong interest that we hope will help us achieve the objective of expanding the FM industry,” he said.
Nanta added: “Technologies such as the Construction Industry Standard for Facility Management (CIS-FM), Lifecycle Costing (LCC) software, and digital platforms like BIM-FM and CMMS are proven to improve efficiency and quality.
“We want local players to take advantage of these systems and apply them to raise industry standards.”
In his opening speech earlier, Nanta underlined that FM has become a crucial discipline in modern development, covering the full life cycle of infrastructure assets, from planning, construction, and operations to maintenance and eventual disposal.
He pointed out that the global FM industry is projected to be worth USD1.53 trillion in 2025, while Malaysia’s FM market is expected to reach RM55 billion this year and grow to RM75 billion by 2030 with an annual growth rate of 5.1 per cent.
“This sector not only generates economic value but also creates high-skilled jobs for our people.
“That is why Facility Management has been made a key pillar under the National Construction Policy 2030, to ensure sustainable and resilient asset management,” he said.
To strengthen the industry, Nanta highlighted several Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) initiatives, including dedicated registration and certification of FM contractors under categories F01 (general building and infrastructure) and F02 (healthcare facilities), human capital training and accreditation for Facility Management Executives (FME) and Managers (FMM), the rollout of LCCsoft for long-term financial planning, and the upcoming CIS-FM standard to align practices with international benchmarks.
He further stressed that Sarawak, with its strategic projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway, the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR), smart city development, and hydrogen economy ventures, is well-positioned to become a pioneer in sustainable FM.
“With strong collaboration between the federal and state governments, CIDB, industry, and academia, I am confident Sarawak can lead Malaysia in the agenda of sustainable facility management,” Nanta said.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Sarawak Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Dato Majang Renggi, along with other officials. — DayakDaily
