KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): Malaysia still has some catching up to do in the realm of industrialised building system (IBS), owing to issues such as construction joints, standardisation of components size and economies of scale.

Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali (pictured) revealed that the country is 20 years behind in the adoption of the system.

“Its adoption in the local construction industry is still low due to high costs,” Bernama reported Ahmad Tajuddin telling the media during the launch of a seminar on IBS here today.

He revealed that IBS was not new in Malaysia as it was introduced in the 1990s.

Ahmad Tajuddin explained using IBS would not only benefit industry players but “would also contribute to nation building, as it would help Malaysia achieve a developed-country status by 2020”, reported Bernama.

“This is the main driver why we still implement IBS today. By adopting IBS, mechanisation and related modern construction methods in the construction industry, we will create a holistic approach that addresses projects right from the design stage all the way to completion.

“Through this method, the industry can reap its benefits, such as a shorter time-frame to completion, enhanced quality of work, mitigating impact to the natural environment, hence, resulting in a more cost-efficient construction sector,” he added.