Bamboo Construction Sector Urged To Prioritise Local Sourcing

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The bamboo-based construction industry has been urged to prioritise locally sourced materials to reduce reliance on imports and stimulate economic growth in rural communities.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said domestic bamboo production must be strengthened to ensure the industry benefits the construction sector while improving the socioeconomic status of local communities, including the Orang Asli.

He said the industry could open up opportunities for smallholders and Orang Asli communities to venture into cultivation, supply, processing and the production of value-added products.

“We have yet to set specific targets for bamboo use in the construction sector, as our initial efforts are focused on demonstrating its potential and assessing its suitability for wider application,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating the BAMBUild ’26: The Future of Sustainable Bamboo Construction programme at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here today.

Nanta also called for collaboration between the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and SIRIM Berhad to develop a quality assurance framework for the bamboo supply chain.

He said the collaboration should cover key aspects such as bamboo selection, grading, treatment, testing and traceability, as well as examine the certification requirements before the material can be used in construction.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department (JKR) director-general Datuk Ibrahim Esa said bamboo has several favourable engineering properties, including tensile strength, and could be further utilised through the development of engineered bamboo technology.

“Innovations such as glued laminated bamboo (glulam) and strand-woven bamboo offer potential for wider use in modern architecture, including the construction of disaster-resilient structures,” he said.

He added that safety, structural integrity and compliance with international standards, including ISO 22156 and ISO 22157, must be prioritised in efforts to expand the use of bamboo as a construction material.

Organised by JKR and CIDB in conjunction with International Construction Week (ICW) 2026, the BAMBUild ’26 programme features seven expert speakers and a BAMBUild Dialogue session aimed at exploring the future direction of sustainable bamboo construction in Malaysia.

The programme also aims to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional hub for sustainable bamboo construction technology in ASEAN.

-- BERNAMA