COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impacts and Prospects in the Malaysian Construction Projects

Abstract

Abstract COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world globally. To prevent and reduce the virus from spreading, many countries have implemented lockdown, including Malaysia. Restrictions on people movements include social distancing and virtual working. These have impacted the construction industry because it needs real-time inspections at the site and on-site work. The negative impacts on construction projects during lockdowns such as project delay, lack of raw material, shortage of labour, and loss of income would increase the probability of implementations on remote working, Artificial Intelligence, increase in Force Majeure Claims, and requirement of the local worker to face against COVID-19 situation in the new norm. Therefore, this research is essential to be explored to obtain more details about the current construction industry: the impacts of pandemic COVID-19 on construction projects in Malaysia and the prospects of construction projects post COVID-19 as mitigation strategies to survive this pandemic. This pilot study was conducted in Klang Valley (Selangor and Kuala Lumpur). The respondents were directly involved in the projects, i.e., project managers, engineers, and site supervisors. The sample population was registered for construction projects in 2020, obtained from Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). Collected data from the questionnaire were analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS). Consequentially, the results of this research will benefit Malaysia’s construction industry in justifying the impacts of COVID-19 on construction projects. Hence, offering alternatives to sustain and prepare the construction industry with unexpected circumstances that could happen during this unprecedented pandemic.