11 more building materials added into VOP to help contractors face price hikes - PM

This will also ensure projects are completed on time, the prime minister said, adding that there were now 15 items in the VOP, including cement, bricks, glass and ceiling and roof materials.

"The government is aware of the unavoidable hike in building material prices following global economic uncertainties and the Russia-Ukraine geopolitical conflict. I was made to understand that building materials, including steel, which is among the main items in the implementation of projects, have gone up by 180 per cent.

"However, the government always listens and understands these issues and have reinstated the VOP to ensure projects are completed on time," he said when opening the Pahang Malay Contractors Association's 38th annual general meeting here today.

Also present were Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Seri Norolazali Sulaiman, Malaysian Malay Contractors Association (PKMM) president Datuk Seri Mohamed Fadzill Hassan and Pahang PKMM president Abd Gapar Lambak.

In addition, Ismail Sabri said the government had also agreed in principle to increase the price of Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT) homes to help small-scale contractors earn profits.

He said this was due to complaints received from contractors that it was difficult for them to continue construction projects after the hike in building materials has not made them any profits, some to the extent of wanting to hand over back the projects.

In his speech, the prime minister said the government was always committed to reviving affected economic sectors through the implementation of development projects and micro-credit financing facilities in the construction sector.

The government, through Budget 2022, had announced many benefits for the construction industry such as continuing the construction of low-income group housing projects worth RM1.5 billion and the construction of 519 kilometers (km) of rural roads with an allocation of RM1.5 billion, he added.

Ismail Sabri said the government also continued the implementation of national infrastructure development projects worth RM3.5 billion such as the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway and Central Spine Road as well as an allocation of RM2.9 billion to continue small and medium-sized projects for Grade G1 to G4 contractors.

At the event, the prime minister approved an allocation of RM100,000 to Pahang PKMM for administrative expenses, taking into account the association's success in looking after the welfare of its 1,800 members as well as actively helping flood victims in the state.