RM10m for research programme
Government needs innovative ideas on building quality houses fast, cheaply...

Completed in six months ... The double -storey bungalow which was completed in six months


COST EFFECTIVE... Khoo and Baktian executive chairman Datuk Abdullah Bakri Abdul Wahab showing Chin the double-storey bungalow in Petaling Jaya built using the system in six months with a built-up area of 4,475 sq.ft.

Petaling Jaya, Thurs. -- Individuals and companies can use the Housing and Local Government Ministry's Rm10 million allocation to do research on building cost-effective quality buildings and houses.

Its Deputy Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said the Government needed innovative ideas on building quality houses fast and cheaply following numerous complaints of low-quality materials, shoddy workmanship, defects and undue delays in completion.

The research and development programme named Mahsuri was set up by the Ministry with an allocation of RM10 million.

Chin said this after launching Baktian Sdn Bhd's O-Stable Panel System, the fruition of architectural engineer Khoo Tian who spent 10 years and RM4 million to come up with this revolutionary building system.

This innovation, with patent rights already secured from the United States, New Zealand, the European Union and soon Malaysia is 100 percent Malaysian technology with a proven shorter construction period.

In commending Khoo for his creation, Chin said more Malaysians and companies should come up with such ideas.

Imagine a 500-unit housing project being completed in less than a year with minimal workforce -- thus paving the way for the developer to dispense with most of the foreign workers, and thereby saving on foreign exchange.

Under the O-Stable Panel System, Chin said, labour usage could be reduced by 50 percent and labour cost by 70 percent.

"Developers should use this type of system so they can build their houses faster using less labour and money but with quality and standard maintained."

Khoo, 56, said versatility was a byword as this system could adapt to any design, and allowed for attractive architectural systems and features to be included, such as arches, round columns and cornices.

"With no scaffolding or props required, the construction site is practically kept clean and tidy, making this O-Stable System environmentally friendly."

This system which uses pre-cast concrete panels and specially designed formwok is an enhancement of the conventional prefabricated system. Only single vertical and horizontal construction joints are used. Khoo said 97 units of houses were built using this system in Bidor, Perak.

Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor is now using it to build 16 units of semi-detached factories and 42 units of single-storey terrace houses in Kota Damansara and an other 139 units of 2 1/2 -storey houses in Section 7, Shah Alam.

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