ALOR SETAR, April 28 – The Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia (CIDB) aims to establish at least one Building Information Modelling (BIM) Laboratory in each state, to help streamline construction process, increase efficiency and provide long-term benefits to industry players.

Deputy Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said that so far five BIM Laboratories have been operating in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah.

According to him, CIDB plans to add seven more BIM Laboratories in Melaka, Perak, Perlis, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah.

"BIM laboratories can help the construction industry produce project development plans using three-dimensional (3D) models, as well as address project delay issues through changes in work processes and the use of new technology," he told reporters after an official working visit to CIDB Kedah here today. The visit was also attended by CIDB Kedah Director, Muhammad Fariq Abdul Hamid.

Commenting further, Datuk Seri Ahmad said that the use of BIM can prevent errors during construction by identifying problems encountered at an early stage.

"It can provide effectiveness for asset maintenance, asset construction, reduce construction errors, and subsequently reduce project costs," he said.

He also informed that the BIM usage rate in Malaysia has now reached 55 percent, exceeding several other countries including Singapore, Japan, China, Poland, Estonia and Russia.