The Malaysian Works Ministry has recommended that the Public Works Department (JKR) study the Modular Precast System (MPS) to speed up building construction projects nationwide. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said on June 15 that MPS is more efficient than the Industrialised Building System (IBS) because components are manufactured modularly and assembled on site like Lego blocks [1, 2].
"The JKR must scrutinise and conduct an immediate study on the MPS method for building construction," said Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. "This system is more refined than the IBS, enabling buildings to be completed within a shorter time frame," he added [1].
MPS can shorten construction periods while ensuring stronger and higher-quality building structures, the ministry said [1, 2]. The system is suitable for constructing houses, schools, and halls.
The Ministry of Education has actively used MPS technology, particularly for adding classrooms in schools with high student density. Using MPS, construction of between one to six classrooms can be completed within three to four months without sacrificing quality [1, 2].
Malaysia currently has fewer MPS suppliers compared to Singapore, which adopted the technology earlier [1, 2].
At the state level, the Johor Public Works Department is handling 38 construction projects fully funded by the Johor state government. These include four building construction projects valued at RM158.2 million, 10 road development projects worth RM136.8 million, and 24 maintenance projects totaling RM53.6 million [1, 2]. The total funding for Johor PWD projects amounts to RM350 million [1].
Deputy Minister Ahmad Maslan's announcement on June 15 outlined these developments and called for a focused study to assess MPS implementation to accelerate construction timelines in Malaysia [1, 2].
