KUALA LUMPUR – Mega projects and major buildings must prioritise public welfare and address the needs of society, as development that overlooks these concerns risks creating frustration and resentment, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the transformation of the construction industry must deliver meaningful benefits to the public, particularly through affordable housing, rather than allowing economic growth and infrastructure development to become disconnected from the needs of ordinary people, Bernama reported.
“Our focus is on development, which is correct. Our focus is on growth and construction, which is practical. But when we lack understanding of societal needs, we will only invite resentment,” he said in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of International Construction Week 2026 here today.
Anwar expressed concern over the construction of massive projects and buildings that do little to improve the lives of the majority, pointing to growing frustrations in cities where the needs of local communities have been overlooked.
Drawing on the works of prominent development economists, including Egypt's Samir Amin and Algeria's Malek Bennabi, he highlighted the importance of “indigenisation” in urban development, cautioning against blindly replicating foreign models.
“Yes, you must learn and adopt the best from the West and the East, but you must always remember it must fit into your own domestic national requirements, that is precisely why we fail in developing many of the cities.
“Cities, modern cities, not necessarily only involve the construction industry, but it reflects also the issue of the entire planning and governance, hence (modelling) Kuala Lumpur like London or New York is absurd because of the different climate, different environment and different priorities,” he said.
He commended the Works Ministry for incorporating these considerations into its development agenda, noting that public welfare and societal needs must be central to the country's broader economic framework, rather than being treated as matters solely for ministries responsible for the environment or economy.
Anwar said the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) aims to deliver 500,000 affordable homes by 2030, contributing towards the national target of one million homes between 2026 and 2035.
“Now, technology must help us deliver these homes more efficiently, without compromising, of course, safety, quality and liveability.
“And I would add cost,” he said, emphasising that competitiveness must also be a key consideration in the tendering process.
On modular construction, Anwar said its development roadmap must be backed by stronger local manufacturing capabilities, investment, market demand, skilled talent and supportive policies and regulations.
He said the approach must also address issues such as material quality, environmentally sustainable construction and building facades that retain their aesthetic appeal while incorporating local characteristics.
Failure to consider these elements, he warned, could see the industry revert to producing concrete jungles at the expense of environmental quality and public welfare.
Anwar also called for a stronger domestic ecosystem in which companies do more than adopt modular construction technology, but actively participate in its development, manufacturing and commercialisation.
He stressed that the construction industry must look beyond erecting buildings, with technology, affordability, environmental protection and aesthetics all forming part of the development equation. – November 10, 2026
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