From bitumen to bricks: Construction costs jump 12pc as fuel and material prices rise, says economy minister

“KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir today said the construction sector is coming under mounting pressure from rising fuel and building material costs. He said data from the Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) showed an average increase of about 12 per cent across seven key materials, namely bitumen, concrete, sand, aggregate stone, steel, and bricks. “Since late March 2026, the industry has reported cost pressures arising from increases in the prices of diesel, bitumen, premix, logistics and other construction inputs. “Feedback from the industry presented to MTEN indicates a risk to construction projects should these cost pressures persist. “Based on data from CIDB collected when oil prices were at their highest level last month, the average increase in the prices of seven key materials was recorded at around 12.59 per cent,” he said in an online briefing on the global supply crisis. Cement remained stable, he said. MORE TO COME

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