MBAM, REHDA to ensure COVID-19 safety measures at worksites

KUALA LUMPUR (April 15): The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) and the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Malaysia have pledged their commitment to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure work safety and to prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading at construction sites, in light of the government’s recent announcement to allow critical construction activities to commence during Phase 3 of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

“Various government ministries and agencies have given due consideration to the associations’ various proposals such as the issues of foreign workers, cash flows, Site Operating Procedures (SOP) of contractors and developers, and so on.

“Although there are teething problems, but we are confident that should everyone play their part, we will be able to face the challenges head on to minimise any adverse impact,” MBAM President Foo Chek Lee and REHDA President Dato Soam Heng Choon said in a joint statement yesterday.

“We are thankful to the government for listening to our plight to get the industry operating again with the strict implementation of a specific SOP to prevent the pandemic from spreading at construction sites,” they added.

Foo and Soam pointed out that by allowing certain construction activities to commence, it will help the industry and its related 140 upstream and downstream industries. “This is a great news for developers and contractors including suppliers of construction materials and equipment, manufacturers, professionals and many more in the supply chain,” they noted.

Meanwhile, the two associations hope that the government will continue to support the housing and construction industry with regular consultations and continuous dialogues with industry players.

“This will help to reassure housing developers and construction firms about the government’s recovery plan for the industry when the crisis is over,” they said.

The housing and construction industry is a significant contributor to the nation’s economy as it employs about 1.4 million workers and pays out salaries worth around RM40 billion a year. “As such, we truly hope that the government could consider our request for further incentives post-MCO,” they added.

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