More work for Malaysia’s ethnic contractors

The bumiputera, or bumiputra, contractors will be offered more contracts in Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and Peninsular Malaysia after years of delayed projects.
By David Arminas May 31, 2024 Read time: 1 min
A boost for the bumiputeras (image © Aisyaqilumar/Dreamstime)

Around US$67.6 million has been set aside by the government of Malaysia to award small-scale Bumiputera contractors with federal road maintenance projects in 2024.

Bumiputera or bumiputra is a term used in Malaysia to describe Malays, the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia and various indigenous peoples of Eastern Malaysia.

According to a report in the New Straits Times, the contractors will be offered the works through a balloting process, said Alexander Nanta Linggi. Malaysia’s works minister.

Out of the total, 122 projects in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan will receive $21.25 million and rest will be earmarked for 336 projects in Peninsular Malaysia.

Last December, the New Straits Times reported that at least 70% or 90,000 out of 140,000 Bumiputera contractors nationwide were in financial difficulty because of fewer government projects. The contractors reportedly said fewer tenders were being opened, a result of years of government changes which led to some projects being delayed or cancelled outright. 

Highway & Network Management

Related Content

  • New Malaysian bridge project planned
    November 1, 2016
    Plans are being drawn up in Malaysia for a major bridge project, which will boost transport links and economic development for the region. The project looks likely to be run under the public-private partnership model. The bridge will link Sabah and Labuan and will be at least 10km long. A Chinese firm has reportedly shown an interest in carrying out the project and is evaluating possible financing options. The bridge will form part of the Pan-Borneo highway project when it is complete, an important road lin
    Read More
  • Costa Rica highway concession package cancelled
    March 19, 2014
    The Costa Rican Government is paying compensation worth US$28.4 million for the cancellation of a highway concession package. The compensation relates to the San José-San Ramón highway concession and is being paid to the Brazilian construction company OAS, reports Business News Americas. This follows a legal dispute over the project and is some $10 million less than OAS originally claimed in compensation. The 30 year concession package was cancelled last year due to opposition. There were allegations of a c
    Read More
  • Polish project causes further legal headaches
    February 28, 2012
    The long tale of woe concerning Poland's troubled A2 highway project looks set to continue with the latest developments in the case.
    Read More
  • Algerian court gives verdict on East-West motorway corruption case
    May 15, 2015
    A court in the Algerian capital Algiers has sentenced two men to 10 years in jail for their part in a money laundering scheme relating to construction of the East West Motorway.
    Read More

Highlighted Content