UEM Group Bhd. The main contractor of the second Penang Bridge, says the total cost of the project is now RM 4.59 billion, but it can even breach RM5 billion if prices of raw materials rise further.

"The costs of these items can only be determined as and when we procure them," managing director Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin told reporters during a site visit at Batu Kawan on mainland Penang.

KUALA LUMPUR: Reducing tax on building materials and stamp duty charges for sale and purchase agreements are among ideas being considered by the Housing and Local Government Ministry to help developers counter the rising prices of raw materials.

Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said the Government was working on measures following a memorandum from the developers that costs had increased because of the recent increase in fuel prices.

The ministry would make the necessary suggestions to relevant authorities like the Finance Ministry, he said.

PETALING JAYA: About 200 contractors nationwide have returned the letters of award to the Government for projects that have yet to start, saying they are unable to bear the escalating costs.

Malay Contractors Association vice-president Ali Sheikh Ahmad said some of them were members of the association and that the 200-odd contractors were from all classes.

PETALING JAYA: Developers are cautious about launching new projects as the cost of building materials is rising.

Masters Builders Association Malaysia secretary-general Yap Yoke Keong said there was a 20% to 30% impact in construction cost compared with late last year.

He said that with the increase in prices, developers would have a hard time determining the selling price.

"There is a tsunami in the construction industry and I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel," Yap said when contacted here yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed will meet contractors of Works Department (JKR) projects today to discuss the rising costs of building materials.

He said some projects are running at a loss due to the high prices of building materials, and the Ministry wanted to find a way to ease the burden on the contractors.

"We need to find a solution, and decide on the next step to be taken (to overcome the issue)," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR - Pengguna lebuh raya berpeluang mendapatkan produk segar pada harga berpatutan apabila Pasar Tani dibuka di 16 kawasan rehat & rawat (R&R) lebuh raya, kata Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Ir. Mohd Zin  Mohamed.

"Kita telah memberi izin kepada Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani untuk mewujudkan pasar tani di kawasan lebuh raya dan terpulang bila hendak dimulakan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis perjumpaan bersama kontraktor yang melaksanakan projek Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) di seluruh negara, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR - Kementerian Kerja Raya akan mengenalpasti lebih banyak jalan utama di negeri- negeri yang boleh dinaik taraf sebagi jalan Persekutuan mengikut Akta Jalan 1959 setetah mendapat persekutujuan kerajaan Negeri.

Ketua Setiausaha kementerian itu, Datuk Dr Abdul Munit Kasmin berkata, Datuk Dr Abdul Munit Kasmin berkata, sehingga kini, kementerian bertanggungjawab terhadap 221 jalan Persekutuan di Semananjung, lapan di Sabah dan tuju di Sarawak.

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Julai - Kementerian Kerja Raya akan mewujudkan terma baru dengan syarikat-syarikat konsesi tol berkaitan perjanjian untuk memansuhkan atau mengurangkan kadar tol di seluruh negara selepas selesai membuat kajian.

Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Ir. Mohd. Zin Mohamad (gambar) berkata, beliau telah meminta pegawai undang-undang di bawah kementeriannya supaya melihat semula terma-terma sedia ada bagi membuat penilaian sebelum diwujudkan terma perjanjian yang baru.

KUALA LUMPUR: The findings of the special committee set up last month to study the impact of toll rates on consumers and 28 companies given highway concessions will be tabled to the Cabinet in two months, said Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Kerja Raya akan meminta Kementerian Kewangan membelakangkan (backdate) penetapan kadar perubahan harga (VOP) besi binaan bagi projek kerajaan mulai 12 Mei lalu, sehingga permulaan Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) kira-kira dua tahun lalu bagi mengurangkan beban kontraktor berikutan kenaikan mendadak harga besi.