Use IBS technology to build new housing projects: Abang Johari

SIBU: Sarawak housing project contractors should use the industrial building system (IBS) technology to carry out future housing projects, said state housing and urban development minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He reasoned that the IBS was cheap, fast and the finished workmanship would be durable and of high quality.

He was speaking to reporters after inspecting the ongoing construction work on the RM63.5 million Rantau Panjang People's Housing Programme near here on Jan 19.

The 6-block, low-cost flats are the first in the state to make use of the IBS technology.

Its construction began on April 29, last year and is expected to be ready by April 26, 2011.

Abang Johari said another positive feature of the IBS was that it would help the state reduce dependency on foreign labour in the construction field.

"For this project, the turnkey contractor had earlier sent two workers to acquire the skill in Peninsular Malaysia.

"When the duo returned, they in turn, trained 20 local workers," he said.

He said, instead of laying bricks for the walls as in the convention construction method, the IBS used walls of cement and steel bars prefabricated in special mould, which could be used repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the state housing development corporation would be involved in the construction of about 200 units of homes for those affected by the construction of the Bengoh Hydro Dam in Kuching. -- Bernama