CIDB: Focus on sustainable infrastructure in future development

PUTRAJAYA: The concept of sustainable infrastructure has come under intense focus following the devastating year-end floods in the country, notes Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) chief executive Datuk Seri Judin Abdul Karim.
Describing sustainable infrastructure as the "bedrock" to promote better living conditions and community well-being, he said it went beyond just building physical structures like a highway, bridge or tunnel.
He said sustainable infrastructure started from the decision-making process, by prioritising which infrastructure project could be undertaken and the allocation of resources of such project.
It involved planning, designing, procurement, construction, operating and maintaining of structural elements in ways which did not diminish the social, economic and ecological processes required to maintain human equity, diversity, and the functionality of natural systems, he added.
"I am certain that from the aftermath of the flood, as a nation, we will be able to identify infrastructure that not only will alleviate the flood recurrence but also address other needs of the community," he said at a seminar on sustainable infrastructure here today.
Judin said CIDB was proposing for the establishment of a centre of excellence (CoE) for Sustainable Infrastructure in Malaysia to move the country towards implementation of sustainable infrastructure.
The CoE would be positioned as an initiative under the Second Construction Industry Master Plan which was in the final stage of being drafted, he added.
Judin said the proposed CoE would provide a world class platform to collaborate with renowned research institutions, conduct training and knowledge-sharing to enhance the country's capacity construction industry in terms of sustainable infrastructure.
On the weakening ringgit, Judin said it would not impact the construction industry so much since most of the materials were sourced locally.
"But it also depends on projects, let's say you build a hospital that needs specific equipments from overseas, then it will give more cost to the project," he noted.
He said CIDB foresaw many construction activities taking place in flood-affected areas in Kelantan this year. – Bernama