By AFIQ AZIZ / Pic BY BERNAMA

The government will utilise the industrialised building system (IBS) mechanism in the construction of affordable homes nationwide, to meet its target of one million units over the next 10 years.

Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the IBS technology has the ability to complete homes at a faster rate, about half the time that conventional construction would take, with no compromise on quality.

“Innovation and digital technology will be the way forward to tackle the demands for affordable homes,” he said at the launch of Gamuda Bhd’s digital IBS factory in Banting, Selangor, yesterday.

Dr Mahathir said the use of digital IBS — which comprises Building Information Modelling (BIM) — in public housing projects will help the government to achieve its target.

“I was informed that the digital IBS provides an opportunity to upscale our local workforce for the future.

“Moving towards digital IBS technology will enable developers to build cheaper homes in a shorter period of time. It is also less labour-intensive, thus reducing the country’s dependency on foreign workers and yearly outflow of capital,” the PM said.

He said apart from achieving targets, embracing digital IBS technology is timely as it coincides with the Industrial 4.0, the current trend of automation and manufacturing technologies which include cloud computing and the BIM.

In the last election manifesto, the Pakatan Harapan coalition pledged to provide one million affordable houses to the bottom 40% (B40) income group in the next 10 years.

In the National Affordable Housing Policy, developers are guided by stringent regulations to build quality affordable homes for the B40 group, which includes a minimum of 900 sq ft built-up area with the necessary amenities and facilities.