Petaling Jaya: Malaysia’s Deputy Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said Building Information Modelling (BIM), which was recently approved at a meeting of the National Development Action Council, would directly benefit the construction of roads, bridges and buildings in Malaysia.
“The Industrialised Building System will be integrated into the new Construction Technical Committee to implement BIM at all levels from August 2024, particularly for government, government-linked enterprises and private projects worth above RM10 million,” he said at the Asset Management Roundtable Series (AMRS) 2024/2025 organised in conjunction with Global Maintenance Day 2024 at the UEM Edgenta Learning Centre today.
He said BIM is an initiative supported by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) where all design of roads, bridges and buildings will be done using digital methods and 3D and has already started to be implemented but is now being scaled up at all levels.
“The software, issued by CIDB, is priced at approximately RM45,000. The benefits of BIM include reducing design errors, lower construction costs, faster construction of roads, bridges and buildings, and transparent information sharing with all stakeholders in the construction profession,” Ahmad said.
He added that BIM had been implemented before but not publicly, examples of which included the Cancer Institute at Putrajaya and the Merdeka 118 building, but that BIM was being used throughout the entire lifecycle of the building, not just the construction process.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Asset and Project Management Association (Mapma) president Roslan Ismail highlighted the important role asset management plays in ensuring infrastructure, machinery and equipment are operating optimally and efficiently.
“The event provides an opportunity for industry leaders to discuss best practices, explore trends and generate innovative ideas in the management and maintenance of the nation’s road assets,” he said.
This AMRS is the first of several to be held by Mapma in 2024 and 2025, and is expected to attract a total of 100 professionals, including industry experts, policy makers, representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, Malaysian Roads Authority, highway concession companies, system integrators and related service providers.
The theme, “Shaping the Future of Highways: Trends and Insights for Tomorrow,” reflects the ongoing commitment to developing and managing road infrastructure to make it more advanced and resilient.
Roslan said today’s launch marked an important milestone and symbolised Mapuma’s ongoing commitment to developing Malaysia’s asset management sector.