2012 International Conference on Innovation, Management and Technology Research (ICIMTR2012), Malacca, Malaysia :
21-22 May, 2012
INDUSTRIALISED BUILDING SYSTEM (IBS) IN
SARAWAK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Asmah Alia Mohd Bohari
Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying
Universiti Teknologi MARA (Sarawak)
Sarawak, Malaysia
asmahalia@sarawak.uitm.edu.my
Noorsaidi Mahat
Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying
Universiti Teknologi MARA (Sarawak)
Sarawak, Malaysia
AbstractSince the launching of the Industrialised
Building System (IBS) first project in 1960s, the Malaysian
government has enthusiastically promote the IBS as a
successful tool to deliver a construction project and to ease
the problems that have been long haunting the Malaysian
construction industry such as delay, wastage, defects and
the negative 3D (Dirty, Difficult and Difficult) image of
construction industry. So far, the take ups are still below
targeted figure as stipulated in IBS Roadmap 2003-2010.
Thus, this paper aims to identify the involvement of
Sarawak contractors in IBS through questionnaires. The
results indicated that IBS is still considered new to most of
the contractors in Sarawak and thus, further indicated that
they were still lacking exposure to IBS. Most of the
contractors agreed that IBS will enhance better project
delivery. However, lack of volume to economically use of
IBS becomes the main setback to the implementation of IBS
in Sarawak.
Index TermsContractor; Construction Industry; IBS;
Sarawak
I. INTRODUCTION
Well accepted definition for Industrialised Building
System (IBS) in Malaysia is defined in IBS Roadmap
2003-2010 published by the Construction Industry
Development Board (CIDB). IBS is defined as a
construction technique in which components are
manufactured in a controlled environment (on or off site),
transported, positioned and assembled into a structure
with minimal additional site works [6]. In addition,
CIDB has classified the IBS into five categories as
follows:
i) Precast concrete framed, panel and box
ii) Steel formwork system
iii) Steel framed buildings and roof trusses.
iv) Prefabricated timber frame system
v) Blockwork systems
Since the launching of the Industrialised Building
System (IBS) first project in 1960s, the Malaysian
978-1-4673-0654-6/12/$31.00 2012 IEEE
Kumalasari Kipli
Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying
Universiti Teknologi MARA (Sarawak)
Sarawak, Malaysia
kumalasari@sarawak.uitm.edu.my
government has enthusiastically promoted IBS as a
successful tool to deliver a construction project and to
ease the problems that have been long haunting the
Malaysian construction industry such as delay, low
quality and site management that caused problems such
as dispute, cost and time overrun, and total abandon [8].
According to [7], this method offers benefits such as
minimal wastage, better site management, cleaner and
neater environment and controlled quality. In addition,
this method is also not affected by adverse weather
condition because prefabricated components are done in
factory [9]. Consistent with [12], IBS is particularly
suitable for countries like Malaysia where the rainy
season may extend over many months in a year, in view
of the fact that the speed of production of the elements is
usually unimpeded by adverse weather conditions.
IBS Roadmap 2003-2010 outlines several well-thought
strategies and aggressive steps to promote the use of IBS
in Malaysia and it becomes a blueprint document for the
industrialisation of Malaysian construction industry
which has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
First, it was announced that all new government building
projects are required to have at least 50% and later,
introduced some incentive to those who utilise IBS in
their construction. For example, to attract private client,
the exemption of CIDB Levy for developers or
contractors who use IBS components in their project and
where, the IBS score is more than 50% [11]. The IBS
Content Scoring System (IBS Score) is introduced as a
structured assessment system that can be used to measure
the usage of Industrialised Building Systems (IBS) in a
consistent way [3].
Despite the aggressive campaign by the government
to promote the usage of IBS in delivering construction
projects in Malaysia, the take ups are still way below the
expected figure. A researcher has listed a few factors that
hinder the construction players to utilise IBS such as poor
demand by the client, high initial cost, lack of expertise
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 2012 International Conference on Innovation, Management and Technology Research (ICIMTR2012), Malacca, Malaysia :
21-22 May, 2012

and weakness of existing components and workmanship. TABLE I shows demographic background for
Refer to [10], they observed that the term IBS is often respondents. From the 82 contractors, 85.36%
misinterpreted with negative image due to its past failures (Frequency = 70) of the respondents are G7 contractors,
and unattractive architecture. The IBS Roadmap 2003- another 8.54% (Frequency=7) are G6 contractors and
2010 has also met the deadline. To strengthen the only 6.10% (Frequency = 5) contractor have registered as
strategies to promote IBS, the new IBS Roadmap 2011- G5. Background studies also indicated their experience in
2015 intends to replace the current roadmap with the the construction industry and the numbers of projects
objective to impose high level intended outcomes of IBS undertaken by them throughout their experiences in the
implementation [4]. In Sarawak, CIDB Sarawak region construction industry. Nearly half of the respondents are
and various parties has actively conducted a few technical
experienced contractors where they have been involved
courses in order to disseminate information regarding
in the construction industry for more than 15 years with
IBS to the local contractors and to provide training to the
40.24% (Frequency = 33) which is considered good for
local labour which aims to master IBS knowledge. In
addition, there are a few successful examples of an opinion-based survey analysis. In term of experience
construction projects which utilise IBS components in in managing a construction project, many respondents,
Sarawak such as Institute Aminuddin Baki Sarawak 40.90% (Frequency = 36) were involved in the range of
Project, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 1-10 projects and in about 35.36% (Frequency = 29)
University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Project, respondents were involved in more than 30 projects.
Village Library Projects and Extension of Kuching TABLE 2 shows the frequency of the respondents
International Airport Project. involvement in any of the IBS construction regardless the
types of IBS system and their IBS score. This is generally
II. METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS just to overview whether the respondents have any
This study focuses mainly on IBS adoption and experience in the IBS. Greater part of respondents
implementation in Sarawak construction industry. The 56.10% (Frequency = 46) never involved in IBS Project
target population for this research consists of contractors and another respondents 43.90% (Frequency = 36) has an
in Sarawak registered under Construction Industry experience in IBS.
Development Board (CIDB). The target population of
200 respondents consist of 111 contractors CIDB Gred TABLE 2
CONTRACTORS INVOLVEMENT IN IBS PROJECTS
G7, 49 contractors CIDB Gred G6 and 40 contractors
CIDB Gred G5. The total numbers of usable
questionnaires were 82 questionnaires. The data from this Frequency Percentage
study was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Yes 36 43.90
Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 and later presented by the No 46 56.10
use of tables for the ease of interpretation.
From the result stipulated in TABLE 3, over half of the
TABLE 1 respondents (Frequency = 18) were involved in less than
RESPONDENTS DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE 1 year. While 44.44% (Frequency = 16) represent the
company involvement in between 1 to 10 years. Only
Classification Frequency Percentage 5.56% (Frequency = 2) are very experience in IBS
Registration projects. Most of the respondents are new to this IBS.
Status with
CIDB G5 5 6.10 TABLE 3
CONTRACTORS EXPERIENCE INVOLVING IBS PROJECTS
G6 7 8.54
G7 70 85.36
Frequency Percentage
Contractor's
Experience 1-5 years 10 12.20 10-20 years 2.00 5.56
6-10 years 16 19.51 1-10 years 16.00 44.44
10-15 years 23 28.05 Less than 1 years 18.00 50.00
> 15 years 33 40.24
The numbers of IBS projects taken up by the respondents
Total surveyed as stipulated in TABLE 4. Greater number of
projects 1-10 36 43.90 respondents, 52.78% (Frequency =19) stated that they
11-20 8 9.76 were only involved once in the IBS project and 19.44%
21-30 9 10.98 (Frequency =7) were involved between 2 to 5 numbers of
>30 projects 29 35.36 IBS projects. 13.89% of the respondents stated that they
were involved in both project ranging from 5 to 9
Respondent Demographic Profile (n=82) projects and more

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 2012 International Conference on Innovation, Management and Technology Research (ICIMTR2012), Malacca, Malaysia :
21-22 May, 2012

TABLE 6 shows the mean scores for perception of

TABLE 4 respondents on the advantages of IBS to the construction
NUMBER OF IBS PROJECTS THE RESPONDENTS
industry. Generally, the entire respondents rated mean
INVOLVED IN
above 3.00, ranging from the highest mean of 4.06 to the
lowest mean of 3.28 in which are related to the six IBS
Frequency Percentage advantages. To note, the respondents perceptions are
towards positive perception. Out of the 6 advantages
More than 10 projects 5.00 13.89 being assessed, it was found that most of the respondents
5-10 projects 5.00 13.89 stated that they could foresee that IBS does contribute to
2-5 projects 7.00 19.44 a cleaner and safer construction (mean =4.06). Most
respondents still feel that IBS did not give much high
First project 19.00 52.78
good cost implications compared to the conventional
method. This is due to their perceptions that IBS cost is
From the result in TABLE 5, is shown that, 58.33% of much higher compared to the conventional method. In
the respodents are not sure of the IBS score in the IBS
addition, based on [1], IBS is always associated with low
projects that they were involved in. About 19.44% quality of building and leakages problems that later will
(Frequency = 7) of the respondents involved in the increase the cost of maintenance.
project where the IBS score is less than 50%. Only
16.67% (Frequency = 6) of the respondents were TABLE 7
involved in projects more than 50% IBS Score. MEAN SCORES FOR PERCEPTION OF CONTRACTORS ON
TABLE 5 SETBACKS OF IBS IMPLEMENTATION
IBS SCORE
Standard
Frequency Percentage Mean Deviation
Availability of cheap labour 3.69 1.10
Less than 50% 7.00 19.44 Expensive overall costs of
50-70% 2.00 5.56 construction using IBS 4.06 0.83
More than 50% 6.00 16.67 Lack of volume to
Not sure of the economically use IBS 4.29 0.76
score 21.00 58.33 Poor demand from
public/client 3.86 1.14
Lack capital investment for
For TABLE 6, 7 and 8, likert scale is also used and its
IBS 3.98 0.84
descriptions are indicated as follows:
Weakness of existing IBS
component 4.04 0.93
Scale Likert Scale
Others 4.24 0.88
1 Disagree strongly
2 Slightly disagree A list of setback factors that prevents IBS usage in
Sarawak was given to respondents as stated in TABLE
3 Neither agree nor disagree 7.According to [1], awareness among the construction
4 Slightly agree stakeholders, the needs to acquire special skill and
5 Strongly agree knowledge, and the high intial cost are the contribution
factors that hinder the stakeholders to use IBS. The mean
score of each of the setback factors indicates the lack of
volume to economically use IBS which are perceived as
TABLE 6
the highest setback with a recorded mean of 4.29.
MEAN SCORES FOR PERCEPTION OF CONTRACTORS ON
ADVANTAGES OF IBS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Followed by other factor such as support from the design
team (Mean Score = 4.24), the lack of knowledge among
the designers contributes to the project delays mainly due
Mean to the extra time taken to produce details of drawing.
High quality and aesthetical value of Next is related to the expensive overall cost of using IBS
products 3.85 (Mean Score = 4.06). Refer to [2], he concluded that the
Cleaner and safer construction sites 4.06 problems related to IBS technology were the higher
initial capital investment and the needs for expert labour
Faster construction 3.94
to deal with heavily mechanised approach in IBS. This is
High good cost implications 3.28
followed by the weakness of existing IBS components
More organized Site management 3.85 (Mean Score = 4.04). This is strengthened by a study by
Government incentives 3.43 [10] who observed that the term IBS is often
misinterpreted with negative image due to its past failures

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 2012 International Conference on Innovation, Management and Technology Research (ICIMTR2012), Malacca, Malaysia :
21-22 May, 2012
and unattractive architecture. These buildings are
normally associated with pre-fabricated, mass
construction method, low quality buildings, leakages,
abandoned projects, unpleasant architectural appearances
and other drawbacks. Due to the poor architectural
design, the old pre-fabricated buildings have given the
public bad impression about pre-cast concrete. It is also
indicated that the availability of cheap labour in the
industry score the lowest mean with 3.69 that hinder that
contractors to use IBS. As [2] also indicated that the
needs for expert labour to deal with heavily mechanised
approach in IBS and will incur extra cost to train existing
semi skilled labour to be highly skilled labour.
The contractors are also being given a list of
motivational factor that will persuade them to use the IBS
for their upcoming projects. TABLE 8 shows the mean
scores for perception of respondents on the external
factors that would encourage their company to use IBS in
their projects. With regard to the six factors, the entire
respondents rated the mean of above 3.00, ranging from
highest mean, of 4.06 to the lowest mean 3.80. Generally,
the respondents perceptions are towards the positive
perception.
TABLE 8
MEAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION SCORE OF
PERCEPTION BY THE RESPONDENTS ON THE
MOTIVATIONAL FACTOR IN ADOPTING IBS
Standard
Mean Deviation
Government waiver of CIDB
levy to developers and
contractors using 50% of IBS
components 4.14 0.90
Better regulation to govern the
usage of IBS 3.80 1.07
Motivation by successful IBS
implementation 4.14 0.86
Extensive development of IBS
components 4.08 0.72
Shortage of general labour for
construction 3.84 0.98
Others 3.98 0.80
Out of the six factors that being assessed above, it was
found that most of the respondent stated that the
government waiver of CIDB levy to contractors using
50% of IBS components (mean score =4.14), encourages
them to implement this technology in their next
construction a projects and they were also motivated by
successful IBS project implementation (mean score
=4.14). Extensive development of IBS components
shows the mean score of 4.08 while shortage of general
labour with the mean score of 3.84. Lastly, a better
regulation to govern the usage of IBS indicates the means
score of 3.80.
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III. CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, this paper has briefly reviewed the
IBS project adoption in Sarawak. The contractors in
Sarawak are slowly adopting the IBS system as most of
them just made known to IBS construction since the IBS
roadmap 2003-2010 introduced and implemented. Focus
must be given to the barriers or setbacks that hold back
the contractors to adopt IBS as one of the preferred
methods to deliver a construction project. More
promotions and campaigns should be carried out to
educate the contractors and other construction
stakeholders about the advantages of this technology as
the current take ups are still below targeted figure. It is
suggested that, the promotion and campaign must also
covers other construction stakeholders particularly the
client and the designers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to thank the Management of
Universiti Teknologi MARA for the support given to this
research
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