CIDB to promote QLASSIC among house buyers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), which has assessed 700 projects under the Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC) quality rating system since 2007, aims to grow the number of projects assessed by spreading awareness of the rating system among house buyers.
QLASSIC has four areas of focus namely structural works, architectural works, external works and mechanical and electrical works. The assessment emphasises quality of workmanship regardless of the size, type, location and design of the project.
CIDB senior general manager of development sector Ahmad 'Asri Abdul Hamid said it has assessed 237 projects so far this year and is on track to achieving its target of 250 projects.
"Definitely (we) will hit the target because there are many projects in the pipeline. We are now doing the assessments. Next year we intend to do a bit more, maybe about 300 projects," he told reporters at a media workshop on QLASSIC organised by CIDB yesterday.
According to him, participation among developers and contractors has been low, with only 160 projects out of a total 5,800 construction projects reported in 2012 underwent QLASSIC assessment.
However, among those who underwent the QLASSIC assessment, quality has improved with average scores rising to 80% to 85% today compared with 50% to 60% in 2007. He said some of the bigger players should be able to achieve 90% by next year.
Ahmad 'Asri said majority of the projects assessed are within the residential category and are usually in the medium to high-end range.
"When it comes to housing, our people tend to have that mentality or culture of acceptance. What is given to them, they accept it. That's the reason why our focus is on residential," he said.
CIDB also plans to make QLASSIC mandatory and is proposing it under the 11th Malaysia Plan which will be launched next year.
"Our plan is to make it compulsory when they want to apply for the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC). Once the project is completed, they have to get the CCC. What we are proposing, we want self-evaluation and consultants who do this submission must also make sure their projects are assessed with QLASSIC and the QLASSIC score must be submitted together with the application for the CCC," he added.
CIDB also wants low-cost and affordable houses to undergo QLASSIC assessment and is in talks with the 1Malaysia People's Housing Scheme (PR1MA).
Ahmad 'Asri said the assessment system is consistent, fair and independent as it is done by third party assessors who are accredited by CIDB based on the Construction Industry Standard (CIS 7: 2014).
Ahmad 'Asri said house buyers should understand the standards for housing and the specifications as well as their rights as house buyers, instead of accepting or ignoring defects found in their houses.