Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure Solutions Crucial To Tackle Climate Change - Nanta

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Innovation and sustainability are crucial to national infrastructure projects, requiring collaboration among professionals and stakeholders to develop solutions for complex challenges like climate change and rapid technological advancements.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stated that the structural engineering and construction sector is a vital pillar of national development and economic growth, driving the creation of essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings, as well as large-scale, technologically advanced projects.

However, he pointed out that the sector is facing increasingly complex issues such as climate change, rapid technological advancements and the demand for innovative, sustainable designs while maintaining the country's values and identity, which require the government to adopt new approaches and strategies.

"I firmly believe that fostering closer collaboration among professionals, academia and industry players, especially between government agencies and private companies, will enable us to cultivate a more robust and competitive ecosystem. 

"Such an ecosystem must not only prioritise economic advancement but also ensure safety, quality, and sustainability in every endeavour," he said in his speech during the opening of the 11th Asia Pacific Structural Engineering and Construction Conference 2025 (APSEC) today.

Also present was Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) deputy vice-chancellor (Development), Prof Dr Eddy Tonnizam Mohamad.

Nanta said these efforts will collectively contribute to building an environmentally friendly, future-proof, safer, more resilient and sustainable future for the region.

He said APSEC 2025 is highly significant, offering an invaluable platform for thought leaders, practitioners and stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and develop solutions to effectively tackle these complex challenges.

He added that the conference will greatly benefit participants, companies, and nations, while promoting innovative ideas to improve best practices in structural engineering and construction, both locally and globally.

Organised by UTM’s Faculty of Civil Engineering, APSEC 2025 promotes deeper collaboration, mutual inspiration, and actionable strategies to drive innovation and sustainability in civil engineering.

Themed "Bridging Innovation and Sustainability for Tomorrow's Infrastructure," the conference brought together global experts to discuss advancements in structural engineering and construction, focusing on sustainable practices and innovative solutions for future infrastructure development.

In another development, Nanta welcomed the proposal by Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to conduct a forensic audit on road maintenance contracts in Sabah.

He said the Ministry of Works already has a programme in collaboration with MACC to ensure proper road maintenance, adding that the major challenge in carrying out maintenance quickly is financial constraints.

However, he emphasised that there would be no compromise when it comes to ensuring road construction quality meets the established standard operating procedures, and contractors found failing to meet these standards will face strict action.

-- BERNAMA