Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has urged contractors to accelerate the completion of the Malaysian Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT) project at Lok Kawi Camp, despite earlier setbacks caused by material shortages.
During a site visit, Ahmad stressed the importance of keeping the project on track and completing it ahead of schedule.
“The contractor and project team must work together to maintain construction momentum. We cannot afford further delays,” he said during his working visit to Kota Kinabalu yesterday.
The RM188 million project, which started in March 2022, has reached 45% completion.
Ahmad acknowledged that shortages of piling materials and cement in Sabah had affected progress in its early phases but noted that mitigation measures had been put in place.
“The contractor has introduced a recovery plan, and we expect to see significant improvements in the coming months,” he said.
“We must ensure the project is completed as soon as possible so that the military personnel and their families can move in without further delays.”
Spanning 637 acres, the development consists of 513 residential units of various classifications, along with key infrastructure such as water tanks, a pump house, and waste collection facilities.
The project also employs the Industrialized Building System (IBS) to speed up construction and reduce reliance on manual labor, particularly foreign workers.
Ahmad emphasized that the Ministry of Works’ 2025 strategy prioritizes infrastructure projects that meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards while ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
“We are committed to delivering infrastructure that meets high standards while minimizing environmental impact,” he said.
“But at the same time, we must push for efficiency so that no project is left incomplete.”
He also called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to resolve material supply issues and maintain strict safety protocols at the construction site.
“We want this project to set a benchmark for future developments. The people working on this must take responsibility and ensure that it is completed to the highest standard,” he added. – March 17, 2025
