Property, construction players pledge to ensure health safety

KUALA LUMPUR: The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) and the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Malaysia are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure safety at work and curb the spread of Covid-19.

A joint statement by MBAM president Foo Chek Lee and REHDA Malaysia president Datuk Soam Heng Choon expressed gratitude to the government for listening to the plight of their members to get the industry operating again.

It said this came with adhering to the strict implementation of Site Operating Procedures (SOP) to prevent the pandemic from spreading at construction sites.

“We understand the various government ministries and agencies have been working hard to present mitigation measures to lessen the impact of Covid-19 and have given due consideration to our various proposals such as on foreign workers, cash flows, SOP of contractors and developers during this challenging period.

“Although there are teething problems, we are confident that should everyone play their part, we will overcome the challenges to minimise any adverse impact for the greater good of the industry and the Malaysian economy,” it added.

The statement said the unprecedented global Covid-19 outbreak has changed the landscape of business all over the world and the Malaysian property development and construction industry have not been spared.

“The recent government announcement to allow some construction activities to commence during the Phase Three of the Movement Control Order (MCO) will help the industry and its related 140 upstream and downstream industries,” it added.

It called this positive for developers and contractors including suppliers of construction materials and equipment, manufacturers, professionals and many more in the supply chain.

The statement said it hoped the government would continue to support the housing and construction industry with regular consultation sessions and continuous dialogues that would help to reassure housing developers and construction firms about the government’s recovery plan for the industry when the crisis is over.

“As such, we hope that the government will look positively at our request for further incentives in any of the government’s stimulus package post-MCO,” it said.

It described the industry as a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, employing about 1.4 million workers and paying about RM40 bil in wages yearly. – April 14, 2020, Bernama

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