Budget 2021: Structured system needed for digital transformation of construction industry – PAM

PETALING JAYA (Nov 6): On digitalisation of the construction industry, Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Datuk Ezumi Harzani Ismail hopes that the grant allocated would not be targeted only to help companies to acquire software and hardware, but also to develop a structured system that would promote the usage of Building Information Modelling (BIM).

“Digitalisation efforts need to be focused on maybe only a few selected firms, so that we could create leaders in digitalisation in the building industry. Only then, others would be motivated to follow suit,” he told EdgeProp.my.

“What the government is doing now is to allocate only a small amount to many companies, which would not be enough to spur the whole company to change from the conventional way to adopt digitalisation. Digital transformation through adoption of BIM will be a quantum leap to the construction industry,” he said.

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The government through Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd has provided RM1billion for the Industrial Digitalisation Transformation Scheme. Under Budget 2021, the availability of these funds will be extended until December 31, 2023.

Besides that, an additional RM150 million will be provided under the SME Digitalisation Grant Scheme and the Automation Grant, with the eligibility condition for these grants being eased for micro SMEs and start-ups that have been operating for at least six months.

Meanwhile, Ezumi said that the additional RM2 billion budgeted for continuing the Green Technology Financing Scheme will contribute to the environment rehabilitation agenda.

PAM also welcomes the allocation in environment rehabilitation and protection. More than RM500 million has been allocated for river cleaning, waste management, biodiversity protection and environment monitoring. “We hope that law enforcement will be improved in protecting the environment and biodiversity to protect our natural resources including clean water sources,” Ezumi said.

While he is happy to hear that government is keen to proceed with economic corridor programmes including transport infrastructure projects such as highway and rail services, he urged the government to be transparent in the procurement of all projects, and give priorities to Malaysian professionals and contractors to be engaged for the projects.

He also hopes that there would be further incentives for affordable housing ownership to drive housing demand. “This will stimulate the construction industry and spur other related activities across the whole supply chain,” he said.

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