Putrajaya: Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) alongside local contractors are being urged to enhance their skills, embrace technology, and participate in emerging value chains as part of the construction industry's digital transformation, according to Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He emphasized that the digitalization process should be inclusive, ensuring that technological benefits are distributed across all stakeholders without creating new disparities within the sector.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nanta highlighted the importance of human involvement in technology-driven transformation during his speech at the Malaysia BIM Day 2026 event. He stressed the need for professionals, contractors, and civil servants to not only adopt technologies but also to lead changes, devise solutions, and develop Malaysia's own expertise. The event also saw the presence of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, who echoed these sentiments.
Nanta further elaborated that digital transformation demands an open and interconnected ecosystem, urging collaboration among the government, industry players, professional bodies, academia, and technology providers. He pointed out that Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology plays a pivotal role in transitioning from a project-based to an asset-based approach, allowing information from planning and construction phases to be effectively used in operations and maintenance.
He stated that digitalization is more than just adopting new software. It involves enhancing public trust, reducing errors and wastage through accurate information, and improving asset management to deliver better services to the public. The Works Ministry, he added, will continue to bolster the role of government projects in setting industry standards, enhancing productivity, and fostering digitalization, thus improving competency and technology adoption for valuable project outcomes and asset management.
Meanwhile, Minister Hannah Yeoh underscored the need for Putrajaya to pivot from building the city to smarter asset management as it nears its 30th anniversary. She unveiled the Putrajaya BIM Roadmap 2050, aimed at transforming Putrajaya from digital project delivery to smart asset management, ultimately enabling the city to utilize information more integratively through the Putrajaya Digital Twin concept.
Yeoh emphasized the essence of a smart city as one that efficiently uses information for better decision-making rather than one equipped with the most technology. She announced that starting July 1, 2025, new development projects exceeding RM10 million must implement BIM. The benefits of BIM, she noted, should be gauged by its ability to reduce wastage, expedite maintenance, detect issues early, and ensure effective public asset management. She concluded by asserting that if BIM can achieve these goals, it transcends being just a construction technology and becomes integral to government reform, aiming for enhanced public service delivery.