Kuala terengganu: Ahmad Mazlan Othman, a structural engineer and a veteran in the construction industry, remembers the hoops he had to jump through to secure approval for building the bamboo mosque in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. 'As it is a public building, we needed approval from the local authorities, including the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba). I had to present the proposal to Bomba in Kuala Terengganu and later again at Bomba headquarters,' he told Bernama in an interview via Google Meet.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mazlan had to specify that the mosque would be a standalone, single-storey, open-air structure with easily accessible exits, among other safety considerations. After some time, the project was eventually approved and the mosque was built. However, Mazlan said the approval process is rarely consistent. Each new project comes with a different set of hurdles, and at times local authorities fail to respond to applications altogether.

Mazlan emphasized the challenges faced by the construction industry in Malaysia, especially regarding the adoption of sustainable materials like bamboo. In the age of sustainability and mitigating climate change, Malaysia has not fully accepted bamboo for use in construction, unlike its neighbours. Bamboo is exactly the type of low-carbon building material that Malaysia's construction industry needs as the country works towards its sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.

Despite international standards and guidelines for bamboo construction, Malaysia's current regulations reflect a reluctance to fully use bamboo as a construction material. Malaysia aims to reduce GHG emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. For sustainability experts and environmental advocates, the continued inaction on bamboo, a material widely recognized for its environmental benefits, presents a clear paradox.

Construction is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to embodied carbon generated during the manufacturing, transportation, and installation of building materials, as well as emissions from building operations and demolition activities. Bamboo, an environmental powerhouse capable of absorbing up to five times more carbon dioxide and producing 35 percent more oxygen than equivalent timber, could help reduce carbon emissions.

According to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Malaysia's construction industry accounts for 24 percent of emissions, an increase from the 10 percent contribution from the manufacturing and construction sector in 2020. Additionally, construction and demolition waste is a major contributor to climate change. Studies have found that the waste emits methane as it decomposes, pollutes the environment, and takes up significant landfill space.

Globally, construction and demolition waste accounts for roughly one-third of the world's waste. Scientists estimate that emissions and waste from the sector could more than double from 2018 levels by 2050. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Malaysia aims for its emissions to peak by 2030 before reducing between 15 and 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent by 2035.

Taking advantage of bamboo's abundance in Malaysia can help mitigate the costs while aiding the environment. However, bamboo advocates remain concerned that Malaysia still lacks national standards governing its use in construction. The use of bamboo is further hampered by fire safety concerns and market prejudice as a low-cost construction material. Despite these challenges, researchers at the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), industry players, and universities are working to develop national regulations and standards for bamboo.

Encouraging the use of bamboo in construction, even within current regulatory limitations, could help mainstream the material while encouraging more professionals to develop expertise in bamboo-based building techniques. Mazlan hopes to see broader encouragement and stronger support for bamboo's use in construction. He believes Malaysia needs a dedicated agency for bamboo development to treat bamboo as a commodity and integrate it into national development planning.