New tool unveiled to boost digital adoption in construction sector
PETALING JAYA: The construction industry is moving fast towards digitalisation using a first-of-its-kind tool to assess a company’s level of digital integration in construction projects.
The Construction Digital Maturity Index (CDMI) was unveiled by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi at the 27th International Construction Week (ICW) 2025 yesterday.
In a speech, Nanta said the CDMI programme began with a framework and survey tools already developed as well as accessibility via digital platforms.
“We want as many industry players as possible to participate in this survey to better establish a baseline for digital adoption.
“Once that is achieved, we can better understand how to tailor programmes to help companies progress – from level zero, with no digital tools, to more advanced stages of digitalisation,” he added.
Other initiatives he announced were the SustainBuild Mark, an eco-product certification; and the Small Facilities Embracing Resilient Innovation platform for small and medium contractors.
Nanta also revealed that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes would be further intensified by the government to address the shortage of skilled workers.
He said this will include standardisation of TVET training across various government agencies.
“The goal is to consolidate these TVET programmes under several government agencies – not to merge them entirely, but to better coordinate them.
“This is because there are many similar TVET programmes across many agencies, so this will help harmonise their standards to ensure greater effectiveness,” he added.
He also said increased investment in the infrastructure development industry combined with resolving skilled worker shortages are key to ensuring Malaysia’s position as a regional industry leader.
He said Asean would require an estimated US$2.8 trillion (RM11.7 trillion) in infrastructure investment between 2016 and 2030, which is roughly US$184bil (RM772.1bil) annually, to meet growing development and connectivity needs.
Nanta said the data, which he cited from the Asian Development Bank, signals the need for Asean’s collective commitment to shared growth, resilience, and unity.
To this, he said the recent formal admission of Timor-Leste as Asean’s 11th member state marks not just a milestone for inclusiveness but also vital new opportunities for cross-border infrastructure development.
“This milestone signals the opening of new frontiers in sustainable infrastructure development and cross-border collaboration.
“The recent Asean Summit also underscored the regions growing global relevance, with Malaysia’s warm reception of key world leaders reflecting our readiness to engage constructively,” he said.
Nanta said Malaysia’s commitment to boosting local infrastructure development had already produced encouraging results with the sector growing by 14.2% in Q1 2025, with the value of work done reaching RM42.9bil.
“By the first half of the year, total construction activity had reached RM86.8bil which is a 14.7% increase compared with the same period last year.
“This signals strong investor confidence in the country’s construction and infrastructure outlook,” Nanta said, citing data from Bank Negara and the Statistics Department.
ICW 2025, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, will run till today.
