From left: Mr. Suhaimi Mansor, Senior General Manager, CIDB Malaysia; YB Dato Ir. Haji Yusuf bin Haji Abd. Wahab, Chairman, CIDB Malaysia; YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Works, Malaysia; YB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Masidi Bin Manjun, Deputy Chief Minister II / Minister of Finance Sabah; YB Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Maslan, Deputy Minister of Works, Malaysia; Mr. Neldin Gimbang, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Utility Sabah; and Mr. Richard Teo, Executive Chairman, Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
The second edition of International Construction Week (ICW) Borneo was officially launched in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday, bringing together government leaders and built environment professionals to discuss infrastructure development and digital transformation in East Malaysia.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Works Malaysia and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia in collaboration with Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd, aims to strengthen the role of Sabah and the wider Borneo region in Malaysia's construction industry while providing a platform for knowledge sharing.
Speaking at the launch, Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Federal Government has invested more than RM150 million through the Ministry of Works and CIDB Malaysia to strengthen Sabah's construction ecosystem by expanding digital capabilities and workforce development.
Among the initiatives is a RM2.25 million investment in Building Information Modelling (BIM) training facilities in Kota Kinabalu to help improve digital competency among local construction professionals.
The Makmal Kerja Raya Malaysia (MKRM) Sabah laboratory has also been upgraded through a federal investment of approximately RM19.4 million in order to provide internationally accredited material testing and also technical support services within the state.
CIDB has allocated RM130.6 million to develop a new eco-campus for Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) in Beringgis, Papar.
The campus, expected to become the country's most modern ABM training centre, will accommodate up to 700 trainees at a time. Since 2001, ABM Sabah has trained more than 195,000 people for careers in the construction industry.
Nanta said the investments demonstrate the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring Sabah has access to the same technical facilities, skills development opportunities and industry support available elsewhere in the country.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II and Finance Minister Masidi Manjun, who officiated the event on behalf of Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, said the state is entering a new phase of development under the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 Roadmap (2026–2030), with the construction sector expected to play an important role in supporting economic growth.
He said the state's priorities include improving project execution and ensuring infrastructure projects are delivered efficiently and transparently.
ICW Borneo 2026 also highlights growing industry interest in Sabah's infrastructure sector. BuildXpo Malaysia (Borneo), held alongside the event, features companies from Europe, China, Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Sabah showcasing construction technologies and solutions.
According to the organisers, the event has attracted about 1,000 participants including from Malaysia and overseas.
This year's programme includes the Construction Sustainability Summit 2026, themed "From Ambition to Action: Delivering Sabah's Sustainable Future", alongside technical sessions on digital construction, contract management and crane safety.
Participants will also visit MKRM Sabah and attend a graduation ceremony for approximately 150 trainees from ABM Sabah and CIDB Technologies.
ICW Borneo serves as a regional edition of the flagship International Construction Week and BuildXpo, which is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from 10 to 12 November 2026.
This article was contributed by Temasek Post, a digital news company delivering trusted insights at the intersection of business, technology, and lifestyle, empowering the Southeast Asian and global audience with stories that inform, connect, and inspire.
