The general purpose premium high early strength and superior performance Portland cement ‘Cap Gunung' is now available to the Sabah market, announced Cement Industries (Sabah) Sdn Bhd.

It is ideal for highly technical work as well as providing options for cost-savings in general concrete work, said CIS executive director-cum-chief executive officer Bahrul Razha Chuprat.

"This high-grade cement is made available now to prepare for the future construction industry in Sabah when the government implement the building code requiring all new structures especially high-rise buildings to be earthquake proof" Bahrul.

He told this to reporters after paying a courtesy call on State's Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) director Rosmen Ag Hassan at his office on Friday, 22 July.

"We hope CIDB can educate the public that the higher strength cement is now available in the Sabah market. The cement can be used to produce high-grade concrete and cement" said Bahrul.

Rosmen said the new cement has a strength of 52.5N in concrete, mortar, render, screed or grout compared to Cap Gajah which only has a strength of 42.5N.

"Now the construction sector has a choice to choose between Cap Gunung and Cap Gajah" he said.

The new cement is listed under the federal government Gazette's Fourth Schedule of CIDB, he said.

He warned that contractors who are found to use sub-standard materials and fails to comply with CIDB Act 502 under Section 33 are liable to a fine, not less than RM10,000 or not more than RM500,000.