Construction material prices and cement supply are expected to remain stable as diesel prices ease, says Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.
PETALING JAYA: Construction material prices and supply are expected to remain stable following the latest developments in diesel prices, with no cement supply shortages reported as of June, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said monitoring by a special task force found no significant overall increase in the prices of the seven key construction materials.
He added that based on weekly monitoring, the highest price increase among the seven main construction materials was recorded in March and April, with bitumen prices rising by 13.3%.
“During the monitoring period up to June, the highest retail price for cement was recorded at RM28 per bag in Labuan and Sarawak, while wholesale cement prices remained at RM24 per bag.
“The increase in retail cement prices was heavily influenced by retail diesel prices in each state. Therefore, based on the latest developments in diesel prices, it is expected that construction material prices and supply will remain stable,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
Nanta was responding to a question from Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor), who asked about contingency plans with the Finance Ministry to ensure road maintenance projects and critical infrastructure developments were not affected by uncertainties surrounding industrial diesel prices and logistics costs amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
He said the ministry would continue monitoring fuel price developments and logistics costs while assessing their impact on the implementation of public infrastructure projects, particularly those under the Works Ministry.
“With these measures in place, the ministry is confident it can support contractors’ financial resilience, ensure the continuity of essential road maintenance works and public infrastructure projects and reduce the risk of delays or disruptions caused by fluctuations in industrial diesel prices and uncertainties in logistics costs,” he said.
