NEWS & EVENTS ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Improving sustainability and social well-being: PAM hopes the 2021 budget hit the right targets

Kuala Lumpur, 16 November 2020 – In addition to the sustainability agenda, Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) or Malaysian Institute of Architects believes that the 2021 budget for the built environment is a people’s budget structured for economic survival and social well-being to help Malaysia get back into positive growth.

PAM welcomes the government allocation in the environment rehabilitation and protection, with more than RM500 million allocated for river cleaning, waste management, biodiversity protection, environment monitoring and law enforcement. The additional RM2 billion budgeted for continuing the Green Technology Financing Scheme will also help to contribute in the rehabilitation agenda.

PAM is optimistic that the RM100 million allocated for new job creations and the upskilling and reskilling of the young workers in the industry can help them to become more productive in their current roles and to have better opportunities in the job market.

PAM also welcomes the government’s effort to rebuild the economy by focusing on transport infrastructure projects, highway and rail services, and hopes that there will be a priority for Malaysian professionals and contractors to be involved in the projects.

With regards to technology adoption, PAM believes that the budget could be used not just to acquire software and hardware, but also to develop a structured system that will be able to focus on changing mindset and creating leaders.

Affordable housing ownership incentives are also expected to improve the demand for houses and subsequently stimulate the construction industry, which will automatically spur other related activities in the supply chain. The RM2.7 billion allocation under the rural development budget will also help to improve the infrastructure development and home improvement budget in the rural areas.

– Construction+ Online