Construction material suppliers are suffering

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In response to the news article, ‘Business laments industrial site shortcomings; authorities say upgrade in works’, published in the Bulletin on August 20, 2024, I would like to point out that construction material suppliers are also facing similar issues.

In 2010s, a group of suppliers of materials such as concrete, aggregate and asphalt signed a deal with the authorities to develop the Tanjong Kajar industrial site out of our own pockets. We cleared the forested swamp and backfill it with soil to usable conditions. We also built drainage networks. In return for our investment, we were offered subsidised rental fees.

The agreement was subsequently thrown out when a new authority was put at the helm.

We were forced to sign new land lease agreements with ten-fold increase in rental. We were ordered to backdate our rental with the current one, which was a huge sum. As a result, we could not develop essential water and electricity infrastructure as it would mean additional millions of dollars.

Despite years of discussion with the authorities, we haven’t been able to strike a new agreement. To make matters worse, the absence of heavy industrial land leases means our business licences have been revoked.

The construction industry has been suffering in silence. Without the necessary permits, it is simply impossible to carry out our work, which leads to numerous national development projects being at a standstill and fewer job opportunities for the locals.

Miserable Contractor

PHOTO: ENVATO