KLANG: Industry players and infrastructure construction contractors have been urged to participate in the INFRASTAR sustainable infrastructure rating scheme to ensure that development projects incorporate environmental sustainability features.
Works Minister Baru Bian said many contractors and industry players lack environmental awareness and often take the easy way in developing projects.
“I view this as a serious matter and this is the reason for the need for a valuation system that all parties have to comply with in order to preserve the environment,” he said in a media briefing after visiting the Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3) depot in Johan Setia here today.
He said at least 50% of infrastructure projects worth more than RM100 mil are expected to be evaluated by INFRASTAR by year-end.
INFRASTAR is a rating tool developed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to assess infrastructure development projects by taking into consideration sustainability factors involving land use, impact of equipment use, resources and waste management at the construction site.
The LRT 3 project developed by MRCB-George Kent Sdn Bhd has been given a five-star INFRASTAR rating.
CIDB chief executive Datuk Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid said the rating is important to the industry as it would enable industry players to stay competitive in sustainability development aspects in the future.
“The rating scheme has so far focused on development projects worth more than RM100 mil,” he said, adding that there is an increasingly positive response from industry players to the rating system.
He said since INFRASTAR’s launch in May last year, five infrastructure development projects including the LRT 3 have been assessed under the rating tool, with 18 more projects due for assessment. – Feb 10, 2020, Bernama
