The tide will soon be turning for infrastructure and construction companies that have established strong track records and proven their capability to complete quality projects on time.
They can look forward to more bountiful years ahead from the generosity of the Ninth Malaysian Plan (9MP), which has a total development budget of RM200bil.
“After three years of drought, we can now see on oasis opening ahead of us,” Road Builder Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Low Keng Kok said.
He said the Government’s RM200bil development budget for the 9MP was a much-needed shot in the arm for the construction fraternity to recover from the three-year long downturn.
“Having established strong technical capability and financial strength, we can work towards replenishing our order book,” Low added.
The 9MP has provided for significantly larger allocations in areas such as sewerage, water supply, flood mitigation, public transport and rural road upgrades.
“All the large industry players including Road Builder have built up expertise and experience in these areas and are well positioned to participate in these upcoming projects,” Low said.
The thrust of infrastructure development under the 9MP included road development programmes and the enhancement and integration of the public transportation system.
The projects identified included the expansion of light rail transit and commuter train services, procurement of more rolling stock and buses, enhancement of stations as well as park and ride facilities.
To ensure adequate and sustainable water supply, the construction of new dams, water intakes, water treatment plants and distribution systems will be undertaken.
The other projects that are being given priority are the expansion of sewerage services and flood mitigation works. Besides the bright prospects in the construction front, Road Builder’s foray in the property development sector, through subsidiary RB Land Holdings Bhd, will stand the group in good stead.
The group’s expanding property development business will provide synergistic benefits to the construction division to undertake the building works for the property projects.