NEW TECHNOLOGY: (From left ) Abdul Karim, Dr Abang Abdul Rauf and Abang Johari take a close look at interlocking bricks. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Ministry of Housing will soon swap conventional bricks for the new technology interlocking bricks to construct houses and other types of buildings in the state.
This follows the signing of a joint-venture agreement between Dunheved Industries Sdn Bnd (DISB), the Shah Alam-based manufacturer, supplier and distribution of interlocking bricks, and Daya Builders Sdn Bhd (DBSB), a wholly owned company of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) here yesterday.
HDC is a state agency tasked with providing affordable houses for the low-income group in the state.
The joint-venture firm will be called Daya Dunheved Sdn Bhd (DDSB), with DISB holding 60 per cent of the share equity and DBSB 40 per cent.
The deal was inked by DBSB chairman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and its deputy chairman Wan Yusop while DISB were represented by its president and CEO Daniel Hasni Mustaffa and director Datin Lyna Aziz.
Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who witnessed the signing, said future housing projects would be using the new technology since it had already been used by Syarikat Perumahan Nasional Berhad (SPNB).
“By applying this new building method we should be able to cut down construction cost in terms of time and manpower by about 20 to 30 per cent.”
Abang Johari added that the manufacturing of interlocking bricks in the state should not be a problem since there was abundance of raw material, such as clay soil.
“What is important is that to manufacture interlocking bricks we don’t need cement, but only make use of local raw material such as clay soil, which can easily be obtained in the state.
“So, this technology is very mobile, and this is the advantage, but we want to urge the manufacturer to work closely with local universities whether in Peninsular Malaysia or here to carry out research and development to improve further its technology and quality of the materials.”
He added that the government was willing to consider providing funds for research and development in the manufacturing of interlocking bricks, if necessary.
“If funds for research and development are required, I think we can consider because usually such efforts will bring in good returns for as long as they can come up with value add findings to improve quality as well as value for the material.
“Technology keeps on changing so to keep abreast with the latest technology available research and development are very important. To produce the latest and suitable designs with high quality building materials we need researchers to do it.”
He disclosed that the pilot project to use interlocking bricks in the state would be the proposed new SK Gersik, which was expected to start construction early next year.
Describing conventional bricks as a bit outdated, Abang Johari said interlocking bricks would soon be made available in the open market.
Among those present at the signing were Assistant Housing Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and HDC chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen.