Builders seek longer construction hours

MASTER Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) is appealing to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall for longer working hours at construction sites in the capital city to prevent project delays.

In a statement, MBAM secretary general Yap Yoke Keong said contractors need longer working hours at non-residential areas to facilitate smoother delivery of steel bars, concrete, sand, bricks and other building materials to construction sites in the city centre.

MBAM is the umbrella body representing some 600 contractors throughout the country.

Yap said extension of construction activities beyond the current 6pm to 10pm would indirectly help ease traffic in the city centre during the day time.

"If work is allowed after 6pm, delivery of building materials can be planned to run in the night, thus relieving congestion in the city centre during office hours," he said.

He said the current restriction on working hours is not helping contractors who are striving to finish their projects within schedule, fearing which they would be slapped with heavy penalties for late delivery.

Another significant justification for longer working hours is the time-consuming nature of concrete casting for high rises.

"Concrete casting must be executed continuously, in one sequence, to achieve the structural strength that it is designed for," Yap said.

Following MBAM's dialogue with Kuala Lumpur City Hall director general on June 9 2008, Yap is hopeful of a faster approval process.

"We're thankful to City Hall for considering to shorten approval time to within two weeks after the submission of the application," he said.

By New Straits Times