Budget 2027: Selangor PKMM Seeks More Opportunities For Bumiputera Small Contractors
SHAH ALAM, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Wider job opportunities through Budget 2027 are needed to ensure the 9,469 Bumiputera G1 to G4 contractors in Selangor remain resilient in the construction industry.
Selangor’s Malay Contractors Association of Malaysia (PKMM) president, Latif Wagiman, said small-scale contractors should continue to be given opportunities to carry out suitable projects, especially road maintenance and repair works, drainage, school buildings and community halls.
“Most G1 to G4 contractors have been carrying out small projects in villages over the years with satisfactory results.
“As such, we hope the government can provide suitable projects to more than 60 per cent of these contractors so that they continue to have work and can remain in business,” he said when met by Bernama recently.
As such, Latif hopes that the allocation for Bumiputera small contractors can be increased to RM4 billion under Budget 2027, compared with the RM2.4 billion under Budget 2026.
He said the increase was not just to provide more projects, but was important to strengthen the position of small contractors, who form part of the country’s construction industry supply chain.
“Contractors are not asking for projects to be given to them for free. What is needed are fairer opportunities, reasonable rates and payment methods that do not place a burden on cash flow,” he said.
He also proposed that mechanisms for distributing projects through balloting, quotations and tenders be strengthened to ensure more transparent and equitable opportunities for eligible contractors.
He said support in terms of financing, training, technology and financial management also needed to be improved to strengthen the competitiveness of small contractors.
On Aug 13, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ministry had received 30 strategic proposals from the construction industry to be considered as input for Budget 2027, with focus, among others, on productivity, technology adoption and industry competitiveness.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to table Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 9.
-- BERNAMA