KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that his ministry has made a request for a higher allocation in the upcoming Budget 2024, which is scheduled to be tabled next month.

He said the extra budget allocation is aimed at assisting small contractors, especially those in the G1 category.

“We recently had a meeting with the Ministry of Finance (MOF), and during that meeting, the Ministry of Works requested this [allocation for G1 contractors] — we understand that many [G1 contractors] have lost their jobs due to Covid-19,” Alexander told a press conference after a dialogue session with industry players in conjunction with Budget 2024.

Currently, there are 65,160 registered G1 contractors nationwide.

During the dialogue session earlier, Alexander said that contractors, especially for those who have yet to fully recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, are seeking assistance from the government.

“The ministry is aware of contractors’ needs and has applied for it in Budget 2024 but we don't know whether there will be an increase or not," he added.

In Budget 2023, the ministry received an allocation of RM8.14 billion, up from the RM7.31 billion it received in Budget 2022.

Meanwhile, in the revised Budget 2023, MOF had allocated RM300 million for G1 to G4 contractors to carry out minor maintenance works.

On a separate note, the Works Ministry intends to create more job opportunities by allowing the youth to register as contractors to reduce a dependency on foreign labour.