Kontraktor disaran kemuka bukti kenaikan harga bahan binaan

The deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Ahmad Maslan, stated that most construction material prices show only a slight increase and remain stable, according to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Responding to claims of sudden price hikes in construction material, he urged contractors to present evidence and accurate information to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) so the government can assess the need for a price adjustment mechanism (VOP).

Although some materials, such as brick, have seen price increases of up to 19% in certain areas, any claim of higher cost increases must be supported by solid evidence and accurate data from contractors on the ground. Without proper evidence, contractors must respond to DOSM with proof that the statistics are incorrect and explain what is wrong.

The government relies on the statistics provided by DOSM; if the increase is less than 1%, that is what we report. If the increase is more than 1%, how can we impose a VOP? The minister noted that the government would not consider imposing a VOP unless there is strong evidence of a sudden increase in construction material prices impacting project costs.

As long as there is no evidence of significant price hikes across various aspects of materials and construction, how can we impose a VOP? The minister called on construction contractor associations, including the Malaysian Contractors Association (MCA), the Malaysian Bumiputera Contractors Association (MBCA), Class F contractors, and other business associations, to submit invoices and evidence related to construction material costs to DOSM, providing a real picture of the situation on the ground.

In April, MCA urged the government to urgently implement a mechanism, including reactivating the VOP for construction materials, to help contractors cope with the cost pressures caused by the global energy crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, which have proven beneficial in the past.