‘Build homes by going green’

KUALA LUMPUR: New schools and affordable housing projects should be built using greener and more efficient methods to save time and money, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said rural infrastructure in the interior of Sarawak might cost more and take a longer time to build using conventional methods due to the remote locations.

“But if we can identify new me­­thods for such projects which are environmentally friendly, cut down time and is cost-effective, we can create a radical change,” he said when launching Menara Kerja Raya, a new 37-storey building that would house the headquarters of the Public Works Department here yesterday.

Also present was Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Najib congratulated the department on its new office, designed as an energy efficient green building built using eco-friendly materials.

He said the department needed to be at the forefront of studying and using new construction methods and technologies.

Standing tall and proud: Green building Menara Kerja Raya in full view.

“This will help the Government to build public infrastructure such as schools and affordable housing more efficiently,” he said.

The RM309mil building situated at the Works Ministry complex here was completed in April last year and has won numerous awards.

It was ranked as the 10th best tower building in the world by the Britain’s Business Insider magazine in its October 2015 edition.

In June, Menara Kerja Raya was awarded the Green Building Index Platinum Award, the first government building to receive such a re­cognition.

The building also won first place in the Malaysia Property Awards 2016 in the public sector category.

Najib said the iconic tower was a source of pride because it was designed and built using local expertise and could become yet another landmark.

He said the country was committed to encouraging more new buildings to go green, adding that all new government buildings would need to incorporate eco-friendly designs and materials.