Shah alam: In an effort to address the evolving digital landscape within the construction industry, the Malaysian Bumiputera Contractors Association (PKBM) has inaugurated the PKBM BIM Satellite Centre in Section 13, Shah Alam. This new facility is dedicated to training skilled employees in the adaptation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, PKBM president Datuk Dr Azman Yusoff announced that the training centre was developed in partnership with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) E-Construct Services Sdn Bhd. The collaboration includes the provision of 15 computer units for use by participants in the training programmes offered by the centre.
During his speech at the PKBM Sixth Annual General Meeting Opening Dinner, Azman highlighted the increasing relevance of terms like BIM, IoT, data analytics, drone mapping, and robotic assistance in the international construction arena. However, he expressed concern that many contractors in Malaysia are still in the nascent stages of adopting these technologies due to limited access to resources and support.
Azman further stated that the training centre is set to commence operations next month and will initially focus on training PKBM contractors. The aim is to reduce reliance on foreign labor by equipping local contractors with the necessary digital skills. He emphasized that digitalization is now crucial for survival in the industry, urging Bumiputera contractors to embrace these changes to remain competitive.
Addressing current industry challenges, Azman mentioned that PKBM has proposed several governmental policy changes. These include reducing the tender ‘cut-off’ margin from 15 percent to 10 percent to reflect current market conditions and reinstating the Variation of Price (VOP) mechanism for government projects to manage raw material price fluctuations effectively.
Azman also noted the effective collaboration between CIDB and the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in monitoring construction material prices to prevent market manipulation and volatility. Looking ahead, he expressed hope for increased allocations for small contractors in the upcoming 2026 Budget to support their income generation efforts.