All government agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs) involved in constructing affordable houses for the rakyat are required to use the Industrialised Building System (IBS) from now. Announcing this Thursday, Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Seri Hj Hajiji Hj Noor said the ruling is in line with the National Housing Policy adopted by both the federal and state governments.

He added that although the ruling only applies to government agencies and GLCs, private companies or developers, especially members of the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHAREDA), are encouraged to follow suit.

The Minister said this after a visit to the Woodford Estate, an affordable housing programme being developed by Perbadanan PRIMA Malaysia, a GLC near here. The project, involving 620 houses, uses the IBS.

The contractor for the project is Gaya Belian Sdn Bhd. Also involved is Stone EPC (Sabah) Sdn Bhd.

"The benefit of the IBS is that it is both time and cost-saving, besides cutting manpower and giving chance to locals. It is also environmental-friendly and houses built from it are of good quality.

"This is very relevant at a time when the government is trying to build as many affordable houses as possible at the shortest time and cheapest," he said, adding that the system is being used in many countries including advanced countries.

Earlier, Hajiji was briefed by Gaya Belian managing director and CEO Marinah Tan Sri Harris as well as Stone EPC COO Brian Ticcioni.

Present were PRIMA vice-president Hj Muzafar Mohamed, Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB) acting general manager George Liew and Ministry senior officer Wong Foo Tin.