Plus Highway - Peninsular Malaysia

The Works Ministry is projecting a RM200 billion spending in the construction sector in 2025, and is urging for more skilled workers to venture into the construction sector to reduce dependency on foreign workers, reported Bernama on Sunday.

The RM200-billion spending covers projects from the government sector, government-linked companies (GLCs), government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and the private sector.

Deputy Minister of Works Ministry Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said, of the total project valuation, RM88 billion comes from the federal government's budget, while an estimated RM32 billion worth of projects come from GLCs and GLICs, and RM80 billion financed by the private sector.

The RM200-billion projection included the construction of roads, highways and bridges, slope and building repairs, maintenance of various facilities as well as continuation of existing projects, added the minister.

"Next year will see the country's development focusing on the interests of the people in a bid to expedite the implementation of projects that benefit them, including helping to meet the needs of people in remote areas," he added.

He told reporters after officiating the Career Skills and TVET Construction Carnival organised by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in Pontian, Johor. (TVET: Technical and Vocational Education and Training)

The Minister, also the Member of Parliament of Pontian, said with such a big spending projection, the country would require more skilled workers in the construction sector to reduce dependency on foreign workers.

He added that this is in line with the implementation of the TVET construction programme by the Malaysian Building Academy (ABM) Southern Region, which requires more trainees to meet the needs of the construction industry in the future.

He said that, so far, the ABM Southern Region has trained 70,000 skilled building workers, in addition to producing at least class G3 company owners (contractors).

"This year alone, the ABM Southern Region has trained 808 youth and 782 building personnel, as well as accredited 3,100 building workers who are skilled in their respective fields."

"Our hope next year is that we can train over 2,000 youth to fill the need for skilled workers, including in Johor, which is actively implementing development work in various sectors," he said.

He added that the ABM is also collaborating with the Johor Petroleum Development Corporation (JPDC) and the Johor Human Capital Strategic Unit (USMIJ, Unit Strategik Modal Insan Johor) in training youth to be absorbed into related jobs.