By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 22: The Sarawak government looks forward to a time when it becomes necessary for the public and private sectors to discuss incorporating the financial processes and requirements of the Industrialised Building System (IBS) into the State’s Housing Ordinances and regulations.
Given its technological advancements in engineering, powered by digitalisation and logistical support, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the implementation of IBS is expected to boost process efficiency, quality and productivity, save cost, as well as reduce foreign labour and construction waste.
“In keeping with the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the Sarawak government has committed to building 20,000 affordable housing units from 2026 to 2030.
“To achieve this, we have had to change a number of systems and policies. Firstly, given the volume of units to be built to standard, we intend to implement wide-spread use of IBS technology,” he said when officiating the launch of the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Property Expo 2025 and Sheda: Encore conference platform at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
Abang Johari was represented by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He revealed that IBS has already been approved for projects at Rural Growth Centre (RGC) Beladin and the Trusan Village Expansion Scheme, while by 2030, all public building projects valued above RM10 million and infrastructure projects above RM100 million will be required to adopt Building Information Modelling (BIM).
On affordable housing policy, Abang Johari explained that the Sarawak government has restructured funding mechanisms by replacing the previous requirement for developers to allocate land and build affordable homes with direct levy contributions into the Sarawak Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
“This transformation may seem inconvenient at times, but it is essential for sustainable growth,” he stressed.
Abang Johari said small shifts can lead to big transformations, and he was encouraged to see Sheda actively putting this wisdom into action.
At the event, the Premier also witnessed the unveiling of Sheda Institute’s new logo and the launch of Sheda: Encore, a conference platform designed to promote cross-industry collaboration and forward-looking dialogue within the property sector.
He commended Sheda for complementing existing avenues with new approaches, including investing in strategic collaborations and exploring innovative solutions to address rapid changes in the industry.
“Property developers are known for their entrepreneurial spirit. Let us use that energy to stay ahead of the curve as we address climate change, promote inclusivity, and ensure transparent governance. Trends such as tiny homes, vertical gardens, and transit-oriented developments reflect the aspirations of a new generation,” he said.
Abang Johari concluded that the expo was more than just a showcase of properties, but a reflection of Sarawak’s determination to build sustainable and inclusive communities.
“I commend Sheda for its unwavering commitment and contribution to Sarawak’s development agenda. Your dedication ensures that the property industry continues to grow in tandem with our vision of sustainability, inclusivity, and prosperity,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Public Health and Housing Datuk Michael Tiang, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia chairman Ir Yusuf Abd Wahab, Sheda president Augustine Wong, Sheda deputy president Louis Ting and organising chairman of Sheda Property Expo 2025 Peter Lau were among those present. — DayakDaily
