KUCHING: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) passed the Building (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in a move to update the Buildings Ordinance, 1994 in line with the rapid development of the construction industry, global sustainability standards and current safety requirements.
The approval was announced by Deputy Speaker of the Sarawak DUN, Dato Idris Buang after the Bill received majority support from Assemblymen at the 19th Sarawak DUN Sitting on Monday.
Earlier when tabling the Bill, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said the core reform of the amendment is the establishment of the Sarawak Building Board (SBB) as a statutory body that will regulate construction practices, coordinate technical standards and manage the Sarawak Building Board Fund to fund research, training, digitalisation and professional certification.
He noted that Sarawak will also be the first state in Malaysia to make green building practices mandatory, including compliance with sustainable rating tools, registration of practitioners and green certification bodies, as well as the appointment of a Registrar and Deputy Registrar of Green Buildings.
Datuk Amar Dr Sim added, the bill also strengthens regulatory oversight of architects, engineers, qualified persons and the registration of accredited checkers, in addition to establishing a disciplinary body to deal with professional misconduct.
“This is important to ensure public safety and increase confidence in professional standards in Sarawak,” he stressed.
As part of the amendment, local authorities will also be empowered to issue compounds of up to two-thirds of the maximum fine amount, while the First Schedule is updated to list all newly designated local authorities.
He stated that this amendment represents a major transformational step towards ensuring that Sarawak’s development becomes more modern, safer and aligned with global standards. -UKASnews
Reporter: Eisner Nala
Translator: Ryan Lim
Photographer: Uszryn Sunaini
