KKR received 30 strategic construction industry wishlists for Budget 2027, covering technology adoption, sustainability, productivity and competitiveness.
PUTRAJAYA: The Works Ministry (KKR) has received 30 strategic wishlists from the construction industry for consideration in Budget 2027, with a focus on boosting productivity, technology adoption and competitiveness.
Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the wishlists would be reviewed to ensure they aligned with the MADANI Economy framework of driving high-impact growth while protecting the industry ecosystem.
For Budget 2027, he said, the ministry has identified five construction-sector transformation priorities, including strengthening the road network and delivering high-impact projects.
The other priorities are sustainable development in line with the national energy transition; digitalisation and Industry 4.0 through Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI); empowering local G1 to G4 contractors; and improving road safety through MYJalan.
“These are not five separate agendas, but part of a broader transformation in how we plan, build, manage and maintain the country’s infrastructure,” Nanta said at KKR’s Budget 2027 Industry Dialogue with construction industry players today.
The minister said KKR wanted to shift its focus from the amount of money spent to the impact generated by every ringgit of government funding.
“As such, the construction industry must strengthen its capabilities through BIM, AI, green technology, the Industrialised Building System (IBS) and innovation so that local companies compete on more than price.
“In fact, competition should be driven by productivity, technology, quality and value creation, enabling Malaysian companies to move up the value chain and become more competitive internationally,” he said.
According to Nanta, as of Aug 6, KKR had received 117 proposals on industry issues and Budget 2027, including 87 specifically from industry players.
The feedback included calls to strengthen governance and contract management, develop a more skilled and inclusive workforce, and address operating, material and logistics costs.
Industry players also called for faster adoption of sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, as well as greater use of local materials, he said.
Meanwhile, Nanta said attention must also be given to small contractors, consulting firms, workers and other local industry players, particularly in areas such as cash flow, skills, access to technology, approval processes, utilities and road maintenance.
“Not all contractors and firms start from the same position. If we build a strong foundation, more industry players will have the opportunity to move to a higher level,” he noted.
Nanta said budget constraints should not be used as a reason to lower development ambitions, but should instead push the government and industry to be more creative in setting priorities.
“Our goal is not simply to work within our means. It is to maximise the impact of the resources we have,” he said.
The KKR received RM10.692 billion under Budget 2026, up 3.3 per cent from the previous year.
Of the total, RM9.607 billion was allocated for development expenditure to fund new projects and continue existing infrastructure projects.
Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 9.
