BARRIERS TO INDUSTRIALIZED BUILDING SYSTEM (IBS): THE CASE OF MALAYSIA

The benefits of Industrialised Building System (IBS) as a modern method of construction are numerous and far reaching. Reduced construction time, better site management, reduced wastage are but a few of these benefits, that will ultimately produce better products for the customers. The Malaysian government has spared no effort to bring IBS to the drawing tables of all professionals involved in the built environment. The IBS Roadmap 2003 -2010 has been endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers to be the blueprint document for the industrialisation of the Malaysian construction sector. Nevertheless, towards the last two years of the roadmap period, the effort to promote the usage of IBS as an alternative to conventional and labour intensive construction method has yet to make headway. Although members of the industry are open to the idea, a major portion of the industry stakeholders are indifferent, perhaps due to resistance towards change, insufficient information and lack of technology transfer methods to support feasibility of change to IBS. Thus, the paper reviews literatures conserving barriers on implementing IBS in Malaysia which requires attention from different parties. Then, the paper validates the barriers identified in the literatures through pilot study with the practitioners from the industry. The barriers highlighted from both literatures and pilot study are negative perception, readiness issues, cost and equipment, poor planning and regulations, poor knowledge and awareness issues. Finally, the paper proposes recommendations to improve IBS take up in Malaysia. IBS in Malaysia may requires serious marketing and re-branding efforts, restructuring in R&D focus, reorganizing training and awareness program and proper incentive for IT adoption.