KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aimed at enhancing the quality of the construction industry and the development of PR1MA projects.
The MoU was signed by PR1MA Group chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Md Shariff, and CIDB chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Zaid Zakaria. It was witnessed by the Works Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi during the CIDB QUEST Award Ceremony, held as part of the International Construction Week (ICW) 2024 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
Mohd Nazri said that this MoU underscores the commitment of the agency, under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), to deliver high-quality, affordable housing by incorporating the latest construction technologies and enhancing the capabilities of the PR1MA workforce.
"With CIDB's collaboration, we aim to fulfil our mandate of providing quality, safe, and sustainable homes for the benefit of Malaysians," he said in a statement.
"This partnership will also expedite the development of affordable housing nationwide, aligning with the government's efforts to ensure that more Malaysians have access to quality homes.
Mohd Nazri added that the MoU encompasses several key objectives, including the integration of cutting-edge construction technologies, such as Industrial Building Systems (IBS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), alongside the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
"Furthermore, PR1MA and CIDB will establish a Centre of Excellence (COE), aimed at training and information sharing, playing a crucial role in advancing construction technology in Malaysia.
"This collaboration will also involve implementing a contractor development programme, designed to assess and enhance contractors' abilities to undertake high-tech projects, thereby boosting their credibility within the construction sector," he said.
By merging technological innovation with specialised training programmes, PR1MA and CIDB aim to enhance the competitiveness of local contractors, which will, in turn, positively influence the national economy, in alignment with the core values of Malaysia MADANI.
He also said that, as of August this year, PR1MA has 89 projects, equivalent to 54,660 housing units, throughout Malaysia, which are in various phases of development.
"Of the total, 61 projects, comprising 41,321 units, have been completed, while 28 projects, accounting for 13,339 housing units, are still in the construction and planning phases," he added.