THE construction sector contracted by 6.3% in the first quarter of 2020, amounting to RM35 bil, compared with the same month of the previous year, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said all construction activities slowed down during the period.
“There were declines in the non-residential buildings sub-sector (11.0%), special trades activities sub-sector (8.6%), residential buildings sub-sector (7.6%) and civil engineering sub-sector (2.3%) in the first quarter of 2020,” he said in a statement.
The department also reported that in 1Q, the civil engineering sub-sector remained dominant and was the main contributor to the value of construction work done with a 44.9% share.
Non-residential buildings contributed 25.9%, residential buildings (24.1%), and special trades activities (5.0%).
The private sector continued to propel the construction activity with 54.8% share of the value of construction work done (RM19.2 bil) as compared to the public sector with a 45.2% share (RM15.8 bil). — May 12, 2020, Benama
