Construction of temporary workers’ camp at Samalaju gets underway

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Tuesday, 28 December 2010, Kuching – With production at normal levels, there should be no shortage of cement in the local market, refutes CMS Cement Sdn Bhd, Sarawak’s sole cement manufacturer, in response to claims made in the media recently by the Sibu-based Sarawak Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Association.

“We were surprised to read the media report which quotes a current shortage of cement. Both CMS Cement’s plants in Kuching and Bintulu are running at normal production levels and are more than able to meet the daily demand. CMS Cement’s current production capacity is approximately 1.3 million MT per annum, which is still below our full capacity of 1.75 million MT. There should be no shortage of cement in the local market”, said CMS Cement’s Executive Director, Haji Othman Abdul Rani.

Further checks with the Sarawak Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Association revealed that members were seeking Extension of Time claims for construction projects delayed by building materials. On this matter, Haji Othman Abdul Rani elaborated that it was unfair to blame the supply of cement for problems faced on the ground when other building materials were in short supply, specifically aggregate stones and bitumen. The shortage of these two building materials was highlighted in the media as the reason for delays in the completion of road projects.

According to Haji Othman Abdul Rani, “It is important that the contractors’ association members act responsibly in being specific on the problems faced. Perhaps what they face is a shortage of concrete which is used in construction. As concrete is made from cement, sand and stone aggregates, a shortage of stone aggregates can trigger a shortfall in concrete. Therefore, it is important to be specific in understanding and reporting the source of the shortage.”

Irresponsible comments and reporting of a perceived shortage of cement is dangerous, warned Haji Othman Abdul Rani. Such comments can result in unnecessary stock piling of cement causing further negative repercussions.

In compliance with the Control of Supplies Act, CMS Cement takes very seriously its obligation to ensure a continuous supply of cement for the local Sarawak market, especially as the State embarks on SCORE and the 10th Malaysia Plan. Monthly production levels are closely monitored by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism.

“As a responsible construction materials manufacturer and supplier, CMS Cement’s goal is always to ensure a consistent supply of quality cement for the local market, for both users in the urban and rural areas”, said Haji Othman Abdul Rani.

For enquiries, members of the public can contact CMS Cement’s Marketing Department at (T) 082 334 478 or 332 111 or (E)cement@cmsb.com.my which receives, logs and individually investigates feedback as part of its responsibility to users.