by AFIQ AZIZ/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE value of finished construction work  contracted to RM31.7 billion in the fourth quarter 2020 (4Q20), a 14.2% drop compared to the same quarter reported last year.

According to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today, the contraction was attributed to the decrease in three sub-sectors of the industry, namely Civil engineering, Residential buildings, Non-residential buildings which declined by 25%, 10.9% and 6.3% respectively.

Meanwhile, Special trades activities sub-sector soared higher at 29.3% during the quarter, said chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

In 3Q20, the construction sector value had already declined to RM31.4 billion, which is 13.1% drop quarter-on-quarter.

Overall, Mohd Uzir said the value of construction work done last year contracted by 19.4% to RM117.9 billion as compared to RM146.4 billion in 2019.

“All sub-sector recorded a decline in the value of construction work done,” he said in the quarterly construction statistics for 4Q20 today.