CHAPTER 3

PRICES,
WAGES AND
RENTAL RATES

30 Prices of Major Construction

Materials
43 Wage Rates Of Construction
Personnel
67 Rental Rates of Construction
Machineries
71 Prices Of Construction Equipment
30 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 31
Introduction Prices of Major Construction Materials

PRICES, WAGES Figure 3.1b Average Price of Major Construction

Materials (Continued)
Figure 3.2 Average Price of Diesel in Malaysia

AND RENTAL RATES

INTRODUCTION
Construction materials, personnel, machineries and equipment play a crucial role in the industry. Every movement or
sudden changes of its prices, wages and rental rates will affect towards the construction costs. In this report, almost
all of the statistics came from CIDB own database. Major categories were selected from the vast CIDB database
resources, and were summarised and averaged accordingly.

PRICES OF MAJOR Table 3.1 Average Price of Major Construction

Materials
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Source :

Special Release 1, Peninsular Malaysia (For Civil
Engineering Works) February 2016,
Price (RM) Change Department of Statistics Malaysia
The price of construction materials were obtained Materials Unit Special Release 1, Sabah and Sarawak (For Civil
2014 2015 (%)
from manufacturers representing specific regions. Engineering Works) February 2016,
Diesel litre 2.59 1.92 -26.0 Department of Statistics Malaysia
For Peninsular Malaysia, the Central Region was
Bricks piece 0.40 0.42 5.0 Source : CIDB
collected from manufacturers in Selangor; the Northern
Aggregate tonne 44.85 45.97 2.5 Bricks
Region was collected from Perak and Pulau Pinang;
Sand tonne 37.98 40.91 7.7 Diesel After experiencing constant price throughout 2014,
the Eastern Region was collected from Kelantan
Cement bag 18.71 18.89 1.0 Price of industrial diesel registered the steepest the price of bricks started to increase from RM0.41 to
and Pahang, and the Southern Region was collected
(50 kg)
from Johor. In Sabah, the data were collected from contraction after it fell by 26.0% to RM1.92 per litre RM0.43 per piece between March to April 2015, and
Ready-Mixed cubic 250.13 264.15 5.6
Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan while the data (2014: RM2.59 per litre) in 2015. The sharpest decline remained steady towards the end of 2015. Price of
Concrete metre
in Sarawak were summarised from Kuching, Miri was on February 2015, after the price plunge to RM1.70 bricks in Peninsular Malaysia was consistently higher,
Steel Bars tonne 2,363.44 2,089.64 -11.6
and Sibu. The prices were based on the transaction per litre. It was also the lowest industrial diesel price ranging from RM0.40 to RM0.47 per piece, against
Reinforcement square 19.17 20.48 6.8
between suppliers and contractors, which includes any Iron Mesh A10 metre ever recorded from 2014 to 2015. The industrial diesel RM0.37 to RM0.46 per piece in Sabah. Sarawak had
reduced rates or discounted prices, taxes, shipping and (BRC A10) price initially climbed to RM1.95 per litre in March the most stable price of bricks, which hovers between
handling costs. and levelled for three months before showing a brief RM0.40 to RM0.42 per piece throughout 2015. The
Source : CIDB increase to RM2.05 per litre in June 2015. The prices price of bricks was the cheapest in Sabah and Sarawak,
In 2015, all major construction materials posted a experienced two slight falls to RM1.80 per litre between compared with Peninsular Malaysia. On average,
Figure 3.1a Average Price of Major Construction August and September 2015. Throughout the last bricks were priced at RM0.42 per piece each in Sabah
gradual increase in its prices except for steel bars and
Materials quarter of 2015, the price of diesel stabilised to RM1.90 and Sarawak, compared with RM0.43 per piece in
diesel, which decline to 11.6% and 26.0% respectively
in 2015. The most notable increase was experienced per litre. Peninsular Malaysia.
by sand, which rises by 7.7% to RM40.91 per tonne
(2014: RM37.98 per tonne). The rest of the construction Table 3.2 Average Price of Diesel in Malaysia Figure 3.3 Average Price of Bricks in Malaysia
materials registered a gradual increase in its prices Price (RM/litre) Change
(bricks: 5.0%; aggregate: 2.5%; cement: 1.0%; ready- Region
2014 2015 (%)
mixed concrete: 5.6%; reinforcement iron mesh A10:
Peninsular Malaysia 2.60 1.92 -26.2
6.8%). Notable increase occurred during March and
April 2015, mainly due to the implementation of Goods Sabah 2.59 1.92 -26.0
and Services Tax (GST) on 1 April 2015. However, it is Sarawak 2.59 1.92 -25.8
quick to note that nearly all of the prices have continued Malaysia 2.59 1.92 -26.0
to adjust and stabilise towards the end of the 2015,
except for bricks and ready-mixed concrete which Source : Special Release 1, Peninsular Malaysia (For Civil
Engineering Works) February 2016,
continued to hover around the increased prices. Department of Statistics Malaysia
Special Release 1, Sabah and Sarawak (For Civil
Engineering Works) February 2016,
Department of Statistics Malaysia Source : CIDB
Source : CIDB

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REVIEW AND PROSPECT 2015/2016

32 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 33
Prices of Major Construction Materials Prices of Major Construction Materials

Overall, the price of bricks in Peninsular Malaysia was in Peninsular Malaysia. In Sarawak, the three cities of Table 3.3b Average Price of Bricks in Sabah Figure 3.4 Average Price of Aggregate in Malaysia
slightly expensive compared to Sabah and Sarawak. Kuching, Sibu and Miri had the same prices of bricks,
Price (RM/piece) Change
Each region shows a parallel movement, which shows and overall increased by 3.7% to RM0.42 per piece in City
2014 2015 (%)
a rise between Quarter 1 and Quarter 2, and remained 2015 (2014: RM0.40 per piece) which occurred on April
unchanged towards the end of 2015. Eastern Region 2015. Kota Kinabalu 0.36 0.39 8.5
had the most expensive bricks at RM0.46 per piece. Sandakan 0.41 0.45 9.5
This was followed by Southern Region with an average Figure 3.3b Average Price of Bricks in Sabah Tawau 0.40 0.44 9.6
price of RM0.43 per piece, while Northern and Central
Regions each registered the same price of RM0.42 per Source : CIDB
piece.
Table 3.3c Average Price of Bricks in Sarawak
Figure 3.3a Average Price of Bricks in Peninsular
Price (RM/piece) Change
Malaysia City
2014 2015 (%)
Kuching 0.40 0.42 3.7
Sibu 0.40 0.42 3.7
Miri 0.40 0.42 3.7

Source : CIDB
Source : CIDB

Aggregate In Peninsular Malaysia, the price of aggregate

In 2015, the price of aggregate was comparatively increased by 5.0% to RM38.19 per tonne (2014:
higher in Sabah, compared to Peninsular Malaysia and RM36.36 per tonne). Central Region had the highest
Sarawak. The average price in Sabah was RM58.22 price at RM41.53 per tonne, while Eastern Region
per tonne, against RM37.27 and RM40.73 per tonne had the lowest price at RM34.51 per tonne. Southern
respectively in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. and Northern Regions registered an average price of
Source : CIDB Nevertheless, the price of aggregate drops by 1.3% RM37.27 and RM39.44 per tonne respectively. The
in Sabah, against an increase of 5.0% and 5.9% price of aggregate in Peninsular Malaysia does not vary
Figure 3.3c Average Price of Bricks in Sarawak respectively in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. much, and remained stable throughout 2015.
Towards the end of 2015, the price in Sabah showed
Source : CIDB a downward trend, whereas the prices in Peninsular Figure 3.4a Average Price of Aggregate in
Malaysia and Sarawak continued to increase. The Peninsular Malaysia
Table 3.3a Average Price of Bricks in Peninsular highest prices was at RM60.77 per tonne in Sabah
Malaysia (April 2015); at RM39.27 per tonne in Peninsular
Malaysia (December 2015); and at RM43.46 per tonne
Price (RM/piece) Change in Sarawak (October 2015). The highest price for
Region
2014 2015 (%) each place was also the highest prices since 2014.
Central Region 0.40 0.42 3.7 Significant price increase was seen during Quarter 2 in
Northern Region 0.40 0.42 4.7 Sabah; Quarter 4 in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
Eastern Region 0.44 0.46 5.1
Southern Region 0.41 0.43 3.7

Source : CIDB

Sabah registered the highest increase of brick price by

9.2% against Peninsular Malaysia (4.3%) and Sarawak
(3.7%). Sandakan was the most expensive city for
bricks with RM0.45 per piece, against RM0.44 per
piece in Tawau and RM0.39 per piece in Kota Kinabalu.
However the prices were still much lower than those Source : CIDB Source : CIDB

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REVIEW AND PROSPECT 2015/2016

34 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 35
Prices of Major Construction Materials Prices of Major Construction Materials

Table 3.4a Average Price of Aggregate in Figure 3.4c Average Price of Aggregate in Sarawak Sand Northern and Southern Region each had an increase
Peninsular Malaysia In 2015, price of sand registered the highest increase of 18.1% to RM34.83 per tonne (2014: RM25.11 per
among major construction materials by 7.7% to tonne) and 7.7% to RM40.19 per tonne (2014: RM37.31
Price (RM/tonne) Change
Region RM40.01 per tonne (2014: RM37.98 per tonne). per tonne) respectively.
2014 2015 (%)
Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak had lower prices
Central Region 45.28 41.53 -8.3
Figure 3.5a Average Price of Sand in Peninsular
of sand than Sabah. It was observed that the prices
Malaysia
Northern Region 35.18 39.44 12.1 of sand moves aligned in Peninsular Malaysia and
Eastern Region 29.68 34.51 16.3 Sarawak, against Sabah. Prices of sand jump by 7.9%
Southern Region 35.31 37.27 5.6 to RM36.82 per tonne (2014: RM34.13 per tonne)
in Peninsular Malaysia; 3.4% to RM37.87 per tonne
Source : CIDB in Sarawak (2014: RM36.63 per tonne); and 11.2%
to RM48.04 per tonne (2014: RM43.19 per tonne)
In Sabah, Tawau had the highest price of aggregate, in Sabah. The prices of sand reached the highest
after a slight increase of 1.8% to RM60.17 per tonne and lowest of RM50.53 and RM46.29 per tonne in
(2014: RM59.08 per tonne). Kota Kinabalu and Sabah; RM38.16 and RM33.87 per tonne in Peninsular
Sandakan each had comparatively lower prices at Malaysia; and RM39.69 and RM34.44 per tonne in
RM55.54 and RM57.81 per tonne. In general, all the Sarawak.
three cities show a similar movement in aggregate
price, which peak at Quarter 2 before falling towards Figure 3.5 Average Price of Sand in Malaysia
the Quarter 4. In contrast, the prices of aggregate in
Sarawak show a possible upward trend towards the
end of 2015. On average, Sibu had the most expensive
Source : CIDB
aggregate (RM43.96 per tonne) followed by Miri
(RM41.26 per tonne) and Kuching (RM40.45 per tonne).
Source : CIDB
Table 3.5a Average Price of Sand in Peninsular
Malaysia
Figure 3.4b Average Price of Aggregate in Sabah
Table 3.4b Average Price of Aggregate in Sabah Price (RM/tonne) Change
Region
2014 2015 (%)
Price (RM/tonne) Change
City Central Region 44.61 40.70 -8.8
2014 2015 (%)
Northern Region 29.50 34.83 18.1
Kota Kinabalu 57.92 55.54 -4.1
Eastern Region 25.11 31.54 25.6
Sandakan 58.83 57.81 -1.7
Southern Region 37.31 40.19 7.7
Tawau 59.08 60.17 1.8
Source : CIDB
Source : CIDB
Source : CIDB
In Sabah, the price of sand were markedly increase
Table 3.4c Average Price of Aggregate in Sarawak by 16.2% to RM51.16 per tonne (2014: RM44.03 per
The price of sand in 4 regions of Peninsular Malaysia tonne) in Sandakan and 10.1% to RM49.47 per tonne
Price (RM/tonne) Change moves in consistent manner throughout 2015. It was
City (2014: RM44.94 per tonne) in Tawau. Sandakan
2014 2015 (%) interesting to note that the price of sand in Southern registered the highest price at RM54.41 per tonne on
Kuching 37.70 40.45 7.3 Region had slightly surpassed Central Region in April 2015, which was also the highest price since
Sibu 41.28 43.96 6.5 Quarter 4. The lowest and highest price of sand was 2014. Kota Kinabalu had the least increase by 7.1%
RM27.67 per tonne in Eastern Region (January 2015) to RM43.49 per tonne (2014: RM40.61 per tonne).
Miri 39.72 41.26 3.9
and RM43.46 per tonne in Central Region (April 2015). Sarawak saw the least movement of sand price against
Source : CIDB Even though Eastern Region had the lowest price of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. Kuching and Miri each
sand per tonne, it saw the highest increase by 25.6% saw a small increase of 1.8% to RM34.31 per tonne
to RM31.54 per tonne (2014: RM25.11 per tonne). It (2014: RM33.70 per tonne) and 2.0% to RM37.79 per
was the same for Central Region which had the priciest tonne (2014: RM37.06 per tonne). Sibu was the only
sands in Peninsular Malaysia, but contracts by 8.8% city in Sarawak with the average increase of 6.2% to
Source : CIDB to RM40.70 per tonne (2014: RM44.81 per tonne). RM41.52 per tonne (2014: RM39.11 per tonne).

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REVIEW AND PROSPECT 2015/2016

36 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 37
Prices of Major Construction Materials Prices of Major Construction Materials

Figure 3.5b Average Price of Sand in Sabah Table 3.5c Average Price of Sand in Sarawak On average, each region in Peninsular Malaysia Cement prices does not change much in Sabah with
registered a drop in cement prices; Central Region by an average of RM18.82 per bag in Kota Kinabalu;
Price (RM/tonne) Change
City 5.4% to RM17.32 per bag (2014: RM18.31 per bag); RM19.75 per bag in Sandakan; and RM20.02 per bag
2014 2015 (%)
Northern Region by 3.2% to RM17.86 per bag (2014: in Tawau. On observation, the price of cement seems
Kuching 33.70 34.31 1.8 RM18.44 per bag); Eastern Region by 1.5% to RM17.86 to move in sync at the three cities. Cumulatively,
Sibu 39.11 41.52 6.2 per bag (RM18.13 per bag); and Southern Region by Sandakan registered the highest average price at
Miri 37.06 37.79 2.0 4.4% to RM18.50 per bag (2014: RM19.35 per bag). RM20.49 per bag during Quarter 2 of 2015; while Kota
The trend shows a disparity in the prices between Kinabalu had the lowest average price at RM18.22
Source : CIDB Southern Region and the other regions in Quarter 1 and per bag during Quarter 1 of 2015. In Sarawak, Sibu
2, but the gap begin to close in Quarter 3 and 4. The and Kuching had an increase of 6.7% to RM19.94 per
Cement lowest and highest monthly prices was RM16.83 per bag (2014: RM18.69 per bag) and 4.8% to RM18.77
Overall, cement saw negligible price changes of 1.0% bag in Eastern Region (February 2015) and RM20.14 per bag (2014: RM17.92 per bag) respectively, while
to RM18.89 per bag (2014: RM18.71 per bag). The per bag in Southern Region (April 2015). Miri had a slight increase of 1.5% to RM19.06 per bag
price of cement move in the same direction in the three (RM18.78 per bag). Even though Kuching usually had
regions from the volatile movement in Quarter 1 and Figure 3.6a Average Price of Cement in the lowest cement prices, it was interesting to note that
2, which had the lowest and highest price since 2014, Peninsular Malaysia cumulative cement prices in Miri was even lower than
before gradually stabilising on Quarter 4. On average, Kuching during Quarter 2 of 2015.
the price of cement drops by 3.6% to RM17.89 per bag
(2014: RM18.56 per bag) in Peninsular Malaysia; but Figure 3.6b Average Price of Cement in Sabah
Source : CIDB increased moderately by 2.3% to RM19.53 per bag
(2014: RM19.10 per bag) and 4.3% to RM19.26 per bag
Figure 3.5c Average Price of Sand in Sarawak
(2014: RM18.46 per bag) respectively in Sabah and
Sarawak.

Figure 3.6 Average Price of Cement in Malaysia

Source : CIDB

Figure 3.6c Average Price of Cement in Sarawak

Source : CIDB

Source : CIDB Table 3.6a Average Price of Cement in Peninsular

Malaysia
Table 3.5b Average Price of Sand in Sabah
Price (RM/50kg bag) Change
Region
Price (RM/tonne) 2014 2015 (%)
Change
City
2014 2015 (%) Central Region 18.31 17.32 -5.4
Kota Kinabalu 40.61 43.49 7.1 Northern Region 18.44 17.86 -3.2
Sandakan 44.03 51.16 16.2 Eastern Region 18.13 17.86 -1.5
Tawau 44.94 49.47 10.1 Southern Region 19.35 18.50 -4.4

Source : CIDB Source : CIDB Source : CIDB Source : CIDB

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REVIEW AND PROSPECT 2015/2016

38 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 39
Prices of Major Construction Materials Prices of Major Construction Materials

Table 3.6b Average Price of Cement in Sabah In Peninsular Malaysia, Southern Region had an average In 2015, Sabah saw a 6.2% increase in prices of ready- Table 3.7b Average Price of Ready-Mixed
price of RM204.19 per cubic metre; Eastern Region mixed concrete. Sandakan saw the highest increase Concrete in Sabah
Price (RM/50kg bag) Change had an average price of RM204.13 per cubic metre;
City of ready-mixed concrete prices, which rise by 9.8% to
2014 2015 (%) Northern Region had an average price of RM200.31 per Price (RM/cubic metre) Change
RM328.44 per cubic metre; against 5.9% to RM338.76 City
Kota Kinabalu 18.42 18.82 2.2 cubic metre; and Central Region had an average price of per cubic metre in Tawau and 3.0% to RM307.09 per 2014 2015 (%)
Sandakan 19.21 19.75 2.8 RM199.05 per cubic metre. The cheapest monthly prices cubic metre in Kota Kinabalu. The lowest monthly prices Kota Kinabalu 298.19 307.09 3.0
were registered in Eastern Region with RM187.34 per were registered at RM293.33 per cubic metre (January
Tawau 19.67 20.02 1.8 Sandakan 299.25 328.44 9.8
cubic metre (February 2015); while the priciest monthly 2015) in Kota Kinabalu while the most expensive were
prices were registered in Southern Region with RM213.77 Tawau 319.86 338.76 5.9
Source : CIDB registered at RM351.57 per cubic metre (December 2015)
per cubic metre (December 2015). in Tawau. The cities in Sarawak saw a steady increase Source : CIDB
Table 3.6c Average Price of Cement in Sarawak
of 5.2%, which was similar of that in Peninsular Malaysia
Initially, the price of ready-mixed concrete in the regions
Price (RM/50kg bag) Change in 2015, with an average price of RM253.00 per cubic Table 3.7c Average Price of Ready-Mixed
City varied between RM187.34 and RM195.00 per cubic
2014 2015 (%) metre in Kuching; RM278.67 per cubic metre in Sibu and Concrete in Sarawak
metre from January to March 2015, but experienced
Kuching 17.92 18.77 4.8 RM265.63 per cubic metre in Miri.
the steepest increase during April 2015. Afterward, the Price (RM/cubic metre) Change
City
Sibu 18.69 19.94 6.7 prices of ready-mixed concrete in all regions remained 2014 2015 (%)
Figure 3.7b Average Price of Ready-Mixed
Miri 18.78 19.06 1.5 above RM190 per cubic metre. The prices of ready-mixed
Concrete in Sabah Kuching 243.45 253.00 3.9
concrete in Eastern Region saw the highest increase by
Source : CIDB Sibu 264.39 278.67 5.4
7.4%, followed by the Northern Region at 5.2%; Southern
Region at 5.0%; and Central Region at 3.1%. Miri 250.00 265.63 6.3
Ready-Mixed Concrete Source : CIDB
The price of ready-mixed concrete jumped by 5.6% to Figure 3.7a Average Price of Ready-Mixed
RM264.15 per cubic metre (2014: RM250.13 per cubic Concrete in Peninsular Malaysia
metre), obviously during Quarter 2 of 2015. Peninsular Steel Bars
Malaysia had the cheapest price with RM201.92 per 2015 saw the worst performance of steel bars since
cubic metre, Sabah was the outlier with RM324.76 per 2008/ 2009. The price of steel bars drop by 11.6% to
cubic metre and Sarawak had a firm price of RM265.77 RM2,089.64 per tonne (2014: RM2,363.44 per tonne).
per cubic metre which is comparable to the overall The price of steel bars indicates a similar and closer
Malaysia. The prices for ready-mixed concrete was movement between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and
a bit higher in 2015 but was considered stable. All of Sarawak. A falling trend was observed from 2014,
the regions were clearly had higher cumulative prices which continued onwards in 2015. A significant
during Quarter 4 of 2015. deviation appeared when the prices of steel plunged
Source : CIDB to RM1,832.75 per tonne in December 2015, which
Figure 3.7 Average Price of Ready-Mixed incidentally were the lowest price of steel bars during
Concrete in Malaysia Figure 3.7c Average Price of Ready-Mixed the two-year period. In general, there were not many
Concrete in Sarawak changes in prices of steel bars between the three
regions. From the trend, it could be that the prices of
steel bars in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak
will converge at a point.
Source : CIDB

Table 3.7a Average Price of Ready-Mixed

Concrete in Peninsular Malaysia
Price (RM/cubic metre) Change
Region
2014 2015 (%)
Central Region 193.00 199.05 3.1
Northern Region 190.46 200.31 5.2
Eastern Region 190.12 204.13 7.4
Southern Region 194.44 204.19 5.0

Source : CIDB Source : CIDB Source : CIDB

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REVIEW AND PROSPECT 2015/2016

40 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 41
Prices of Major Construction Materials Prices of Major Construction Materials

Figure 3.8 Average Price of Steel Bars in Malaysia Table 3.8a Average Price of Steel Bars in Figure 3.8c Average Price of Steel Bars in trend line, the prices of Reinforcement Iron Mesh A10
Peninsular Malaysia Sarawak seems to be lower in Peninsular Malaysia, while Sabah
and Sarawak had a higher average price and seems to
Price (RM/tonne) Change
Region indicate closer movement of prices. The trend line also
2014 2015 (%)
indicates that the prices move in aligned within the three
Central Region 2,219.14 2,003.66 -9.7 regions.
Northern Region 2,173.83 2,019.70 -7.1
Figure 3.9 Average Price of Reinforcement Iron
Eastern Region 2,234.95 2,030.21 -9.2
Mesh A10 in Malaysia
Southern Region 2,182.87 1,988.31 -8.9

Source : CIDB

Sabah saw the largest drop in steel prices by 14.0% to

RM2,128.62 per tonne (2014: RM2,475.18 per tonne).
Each cities in Sabah had significant falls in the prices
of steel bars, most notably Sandakan by 15.1% to
RM2,138.36 per tonne (2014: RM2,518.52 per tonne);
Source : CIDB Tawau by 13.9% to RM2,153.77 (2014: RM2,501.39 per
tonne); and Kota Kinabalu by 13.0% to RM2,093.74 per
On average the prices of steel bars in Peninsular tonne (2014: RM2,405.62 per tonne). The highest and
Malaysia drops by 8.7% to RM2,010.47 per tonne (2014: lowest monthly prices were registered at RM2,390.89 per Source : CIDB
RM2,202.70 per tonne). All of the regions in Peninsular tonne in Tawau (April 2015) and RM1,849.11 per tonne
Malaysia registered a drop in the prices of steel bars, but both in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan (December 2015). Table 3.8b Average Price of Steel Bars in Sabah
were still manageable compare with the bigger price drop Meanwhile, prices of steel bars in Sarawak falls by 11.7% Price (RM/tonne) Change
experienced in Sabah and Sarawak. A brief price increase to RM2,129.83 per tonne (2014: RM2,412.45 per tonne). City
2014 2015 (%)
was registered during Quarter 2 of 2015, before the price The prices of steel bars in Sarawak was relatively stable
of steel bars drops again and showed an overall decline Kota Kinabalu 2,405.62 2,093.74 -13.0
and hovers between RM1,872.67 and RM2,379.11 per
until the end of 2015. Southern Region posted the highest tonne between Kuching, Miri and Sibu. Sandakan 2,518.52 2,138.36 -15.1
and lowest monthly prices of steel bars at RM2,273.11 Tawau 2,501.39 2,153.77 -13.9
and RM1,690.11 per tonne in April and December 2015
Figure 3.8b Average Price of Steel Bars in Sabah Source : CIDB
respectively. Source : CIDB

Figure 3.8a Average Price of Steel Bars in Table 3.8c Average Price of Steel Bars in Sarawak
In Peninsular Malaysia, the prices of Reinforcement Iron
Peninsular Malaysia Price (RM/tonne) Change Mesh A10 grew by 7.0% to RM17.03 per square metre
City
2014 2015 (%) (2014: RM15.93 per square metre). Central Region saw
Kuching 2,368.83 2,112.77 -10.8 the highest prices increase by 11.2% to RM15.13 per
Sibu 2,425.46 2,131.17 -12.1 square metre (2014: RM13.61 per square metre), though
it was also the region with the lowest price. Southern
Miri 2,443.05 2,145.56 -12.2
Region had RM16.54 per square metre; Northern Region
Source : CIDB had RM17.75 per square metre; and Eastern Region
had RM18.71 per square metre. Overall, the cumulative
quarterly prices indicate an upward trend which continued
Reinforcement Iron Mesh A10 (BRC A10) to increase towards the end of 2015. The lowest and
The price of Reinforcement Iron Mesh A10 does not vary
highest average prices were registered at RM14.00 per
much since 2014, after increasing moderately by 6.8% to
square metre in Central Region for the first 3 months of
RM20.48 per square metre (2014: RM19.17 per square
2015, and at RM19.08 per square metre in Eastern Region
metre) in 2015. Between the regions, Peninsular Malaysia
in the last 4 months of 2015.
had the lowest price at RM17.03 per square metre; while
Sabah and Sarawak had a very similar price of RM22.06
Source : CIDB Source : CIDB and RM22.34 per square metre respectively. From the

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REVIEW AND PROSPECT 2015/2016

42 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 43
Prices of Major Construction Materials Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Figure 3.9a Average Price of Reinforcement Iron most expensive price of Reinforcement Iron Mesh A10 Table 3.9b Average Price of Reinforcement Iron the minimum and maximum wages came from
Mesh A10 in Peninsular Malaysia at RM22.34 per square metre, which was slightly a bit Mesh A10 in Sabah mobile crane operators at RM91.12 per day for skilled
higher than Sabah. In 2015, Kuching had surpassed Sibu machinery operators, and tower crane operators at
Price (RM/square metre)
as the city with the lowest price during Quarter 3, while City Change (%) RM51.09 per day for semi-skilled machinery operators.
Miri remains the city with the priciest Reinforcement Iron 2014 2015
Mesh A10. On average, the prices between the cities in Kota Kinabalu 17.78 19.20 8.0 For skilled machinery operators, mobile crane operators
Sarawak were stable with a difference between RM0.89 Sandakan 21.64 23.23 7.4 registered the largest increase of maximum daily
and RM1.50 from 2014. Tawau 21.93 23.75 8.3 wages of 28.0% to RM190.53 per day (2014: RM148.90
per day). The second largest increase came from
Figure 3.9b Average Price of Reinforcement Iron Source : CIDB forklift truck operators which saw the maximum daily
Mesh A10 in Sabah wage rose by 25.7% to 135.49 per day (2014: RM107.76
Table 3.9c Average Price of Reinforcement Iron per day). The other notable growth came from backhoe
Mesh A10 in Sarawak loader operators which increase by 14.5% to RM133.21
Price (RM/square metre)
per day (2014: RM116.31 per day) and crawler crane
City Change (%) operators which increase by 10.3% to RM149.59 per
2014 2015
day (2014: RM135.57 per day). Skilled machinery
Kuching 21.10 21.99 4.2 operators for tower crane and forklift truck operators
Sibu 20.75 22.01 6.1 were the most affected after their minimum daily wage
Miri 21.53 23.03 7.0 plummet by 6.0% to RM92.71 per day (2014: RM98.62
per day) and 5.8% to RM72.64 per day (2014: RM77.14
Source : CIDB
per day) respectively. This was followed with paver
operators which saw a reduction of 1.2% to RM84.68
WAGE RATES OF per day (2014: RM85.68 per day).

Source : CIDB
CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL
In terms of earnings, mobile crane operators received the
The wage rates of construction machinery operators, highest daily wage of between RM99.41 and RM190.53
Table 3.9a Average Price of Reinforcement Iron construction workers and IBS Component Installers per day for skilled machinery operators. In contrast, the
Mesh A10 in Peninsular Malaysia in Peninsular Malaysia were obtained from 11 states lowest daily wage for skilled machinery operators came
Source : CIDB (Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, from roller/compactor operators which earned between
Price (RM/square metre) Change
Region
(%)
Perak, Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Terengganu, W.P. Kuala RM74.42 and RM115.03 per day.
2014 2015
Figure 3.9c Average Price of Reinforcement Iron Lumpur and Johor). Wage rates from Sabah were
Central Region 13.61 15.13 11.2
Mesh A10 in Sarawak obtained from Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan, For semi-skilled machinery operators, crawler crane
Northern Region 16.44 17.75 8.0 while wage rates from Kuching, Miri and Sibu represent operators had the highest growth of maximum daily
Eastern Region 17.75 18.71 5.4 Sarawak. This section will explore the movement wages at 14.6% to RM119.40 per day (2014: RM104.20
Southern Region 15.90 16.54 4.0 of wages in 2015 from 15 categories of machine per day). This was followed closely by tower crane
operators, 20 categories of construction workers and 6 operators at 14.1% to RM156.46 per day (2014:
Source : CIDB categories of IBS component installers. Each category RM151.31 per day) and roller operators at 13.4% to
is categorised by level of skills, where wages (minimum RM116.04 per day (2014: RM111.39 per day). There
Sabah saw the prices of Reinforcement Iron Mesh
and maximum) were based on their certifications. was only marginal decrease in wages for semi-skilled
A10 increase by 7.9% to RM22.06 per square metre
(2014: RM20.45 per square metre). Tawau had the machinery operators. The minimum daily wages for
most expensive price of Reinforcement Iron Mesh A10
Wage Rates of Local Construction Personnel semi-skilled machinery operators drops slightly by
at RM23.75 per square metre; followed by Sandakan 1.0% to RM78.44 per day (2014: RM79.22 per day) for
Construction Machinery Operators tower crane operators and 0.6% to RM61.47 per day
and Kota Kinabalu each at RM23.23 and RM19.20 per
In 2015, all categories of machinery operators (2014: RM61.86 per day) for forklift truck operators.
square metre. Based on the trend line, Sandakan and
registered an increase in the daily wage rates, except
Tawau seems to move closer in prices, which was much
for tower crane and forklift truck operators. Semi- Ironically, the highest daily wages for semi-skilled
higher than Kota Kinabalu. The lowest monthly price was
skilled machinery operators recorded a higher average machinery operators were the tower crane operators
registered at RM17.67 per square metre during the first
increase in wages, compared to skilled machinery which earned between RM78.44 and RM129.53 per
3 months of 2015 in Kota Kinabalu, while the highest
operators. Semi-skilled machinery operators received day. While off road truck operators earned the lowest
monthly price was registered at RM24.91 per square
Source : CIDB an average increase of 7.7% against 5.0% for skilled daily wages at between RM65.00 and RM94.99 per day.
metre on September 2015 in Tawau. Sarawak had the
machinery operators. The largest difference between

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44 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 45
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Table 3.10 Average Wages of Local Machine Operators in Malaysia roller/compactor operators had the highest and lowest between the minimum and maximum wages at
wages under semi-skilled category each at RM125.50 RM76.73 and RM44.73 under the skilled and semi-
Skill Level Change (%) and RM62.14 per day. skilled category. Paver and slingger/ dogger operators
Minimum/
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- had the largest and smallest difference each at RM30.31
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled Skilled mobile crane operators had the highest difference and RM26.05.

Excavator Minimum 78.06 82.49 - - 5.7 -

Table 3.11 Average Wages of Local Machine Operators in Peninsular Malaysia
Maximum 123.16 123.53 - - 0.3 -
Pile Riggers Minimum 81.86 86.58 65.42 68.65 5.8 4.9 Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/
Maximum 120.33 121.32 95.08 102.05 0.8 7.3 Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 74.56 80.86 59.40 65.00 8.4 9.4 2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Maximum 111.72 113.53 87.67 94.99 1.6 8.4 Excavator Minimum 79.10 83.18 - - 5.2 -
Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 80.39 81.74 - - 1.7 - Maximum 120.91 122.09 - - 1.0 -
Maximum 116.31 133.21 - - 14.5 - Pile Riggers Minimum 82.23 86.77 65.09 68.14 5.5 4.7
Roller Operators Minimum 76.97 79.83 61.87 65.36 3.7 5.6 Maximum 118.45 119.18 95.18 100.64 0.6 5.7
Maximum 111.39 116.04 84.21 95.51 4.2 13.4 Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 74.77 80.66 59.23 64.36 7.9 8.7
Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 72.03 74.42 57.05 62.87 3.3 10.2 Maximum 109.61 111.86 86.16 91.66 2.1 6.4
Maximum 110.66 115.03 86.35 93.71 3.9 8.5 Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 80.92 82.18 - - 1.6 -
Scrapper Operators Minimum 76.68 80.46 61.99 68.65 4.9 10.7 Maximum 114.00 126.27 - - 10.8 -
Maximum 113.43 118.76 87.74 97.61 4.7 11.3 Roller Operators Minimum 77.50 80.43 61.64 65.09 3.8 5.6
Motor Grader Operators Minimum 79.53 80.88 - - 1.7 - Maximum 109.36 113.86 83.05 93.55 4.1 12.6
Maximum 115.15 119.03 - - 3.4 - Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 72.41 75.00 57.09 62.14 3.6 8.8
Wheel Loader Operators Minimum 79.12 80.32 63.94 65.82 1.5 3.0 Maximum 108.23 112.91 85.27 91.52 4.3 7.3
Maximum 116.26 117.49 88.29 95.68 1.1 8.4 Scrapper Operators Minimum 78.64 82.09 62.11 67.68 4.4 9.0
Paver Operators Minimum 85.68 84.68 62.28 64.95 -1.2 4.3 Maximum 112.57 117.50 87.20 95.89 4.4 10.0
Maximum 117.58 117.68 91.99 98.08 0.1 6.6 Motor Grader Operators Minimum 80.57 81.95 - - 1.7 -
Mobile Crane Operators Minimum 98.88 99.41 75.27 75.41 0.5 0.2 Maximum 113.86 118.09 - - 3.7 -
Maximum 148.90 190.53 115.66 123.86 28.0 7.0 Wheel Loader Operators Minimum 78.84 80.59 63.50 65.41 2.2 3.0
Crawler Crane Operators Minimum 98.49 98.86 73.92 76.32 0.4 3.2 Maximum 113.45 115.45 87.73 93.59 1.8 6.7
Maximum 135.57 149.59 104.20 119.40 10.3 14.6 Paver Operators Minimum 86.11 85.55 62.41 64.36 -0.7 3.1
Tower Crane Operators Minimum 98.62 92.71 79.24 78.44 -6.0 -1.0 Maximum 115.73 115.86 90.82 95.86 0.1 5.6
Maximum 151.31 156.46 113.48 129.53 3.4 14.1 Mobile Crane Operators Minimum 97.95 99.45 75.68 75.91 1.5 0.3
Forklift Truck Operators Minimum 77.14 72.64 61.86 61.47 -5.8 -0.6 Maximum 143.93 176.18 113.07 120.64 22.4 6.7
Maximum 107.76 135.49 85.18 95.17 25.7 11.7 Crawler Crane Operators Minimum 98.57 99.36 74.36 76.82 0.8 3.3
Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 77.77 79.22 62.37 65.35 1.9 4.8 Maximum 134.25 145.27 102.89 117.32 8.2 14.0
Maximum 108.55 113.18 84.92 92.87 4.3 9.4 Tower Crane Operators Minimum 100.01 94.18 80.41 79.32 -5.8 -1.4
Source : CIDB Maximum 149.07 154.68 112.89 125.50 3.8 11.2
Forklift Truck Operators Minimum 77.36 73.73 62.68 61.86 -4.7 -1.3
In Peninsular Malaysia, most categories of local truck operators each experienced a drop of 1.4% and Maximum 106.82 128.36 85.09 94.14 20.2 10.6
machinery operators recorded an encouraging increase 1.3% in wages. Wage increase in other categories varied Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 78.05 79.95 62.82 65.68 2.5 4.6
in wages. Two highest wage increments were from between 0.1% and 14.0% for both skilled and semi- Maximum 107.30 111.68 85.00 91.73 4.1 7.9
skilled mobile crane operators (22.4%) and forklift skilled machinery operators. On average, local skilled and
truck operators (20.2%). For semi-skilled machinery semi-skilled machinery operators experienced a wage Source : CIDB
operators, crawler crane operators (14.0%) and tower increase of 4.4% and 6.7% respectively in 2015.
crane operators (12.2%) had the two highest growths In Sabah, skilled paver operators and semi-skilled off respectively. Paver operators (-4.6%) and mobile crane
in wages. Skilled paver, tower crane and forklift truck For skilled machinery operators, mobile crane and forklift road truck operators had the highest growth in wages operators (-0.3%) were the two categories under skilled
operators each experienced a drop between 0.7% and truck operators each had the highest and lowest wages at 12.2% to RM88.00 per day (2014: RM78.45 per day) machinery operators to experience a contraction in
5.8% in wages. Semi-skilled tower crane and forklift at RM176.1 8 and RM73.73 per day. Tower crane and and 12.9% to RM65.50 per day (2014: RM58.00 per day) wages. While pile riggers (-0.3%) was the only category

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46 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 47
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

in semi-skilled machinery operators which registered per day and wheel loader operators at RM60.50 per Sarawak saw all categories of local machinery Tower crane operators had the highest wages for
a drop in wages. Overall, Sabah registered the most day. Tower crane and paver operators had the highest operators register an increase in wages. The highest skilled and semi-skilled machine operators each at
increase in wages for local machinery operators, and lowest wages at RM87.00 and RM47.19 per increase in wages came from skilled backhoe loader RM143.17 and RM106.83 per day. The lowest wages
compared with Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. day each for semi-skilled machinery operators. The operator at 7.0% to RM79.83 per day (2014: RM74.58 for semi-skilled machine operators came from roller
An average increase of 5.6% and 7.6% in wages were difference between the minimum and maximum wages per day), and semi-skilled forklift truck drivers at 8.3% and forklift truck operators at RM75.83 and RM67.17
registered for skilled and semi-skilled local machinery varies from RM15.12 to RM31.76 for skilled machinery to RM67.17 per day (2014: RM62.05 per day). On per day respectively. Under skilled machine operators,
operators respectively in 2015. operators and from RM16.29 to RM22.50 for semi- observation, Sarawak had the most stable wages of RM18.22 to RM41.00 in difference was registered
skilled machinery operators. On an interesting note, local machinery operators. Skilled machine operators between minimum and maximum wages. At the same
For skilled machinery operators, the highest and lowest the minimum wages for semi-skilled roller operators saw their average wages rise by 5.3% to RM101.68 time, RM15.67 to RM30.17 in difference between
wages came from mobile crane operators at RM125.17 remain unchanged at RM47.33 per day in 2015. per day (2014: RM96.53 per day), while semi-skilled minimum and maximum wages was registered under
machine operators saw their average wages rise by semi-skilled machinery operators.
Table 3.12 Average Wages of Local Machine Operators in Sabah 6.2% to RM86.67 per day (2014: RM81.60 per day).

Skill Level Change (%)

Minimum/ Table 3.13 Average Wages of Local Machine Operators in Sarawak
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/
Excavator Minimum 73.50 74.00 - - 0.7 - Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
Maximum 87.86 95.64 - - 8.9 - 2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Pile Riggers Minimum 70.61 71.33 49.33 49.17 1.0 -0.3 Excavator Minimum 84.60 89.87 - - 6.2 -
Maximum 85.45 92.67 61.67 69.33 8.5 12.4 Maximum 109.77 115.27 - - 5.0 -
Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 66.53 68.88 46.17 47.67 3.5 3.3 Pile Riggers Minimum 80.92 86.17 64.17 69.33 6.5 8.1
Maximum 76.11 84.00 58.00 65.50 10.4 12.9 Maximum 99.50 105.50 85.00 90.17 6.0 6.1
Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 72.67 75.00 - - 3.2 - Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 83.79 86.95 69.50 74.00 3.8 6.5
Maximum 87.26 93.98 - - 7.7 - Maximum 99.50 105.17 90.83 96.50 5.7 6.2
Roller Operators Minimum 65.38 66.38 47.33 47.33 1.5 0.0 Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 74.58 79.83 - - 7.0 -
Maximum 87.81 95.71 59.83 67.17 9.0 12.3 Maximum 95.83 101.83 - - 6.3 -
Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 67.64 69.27 48.44 49.10 2.4 1.4 Roller Operators Minimum 71.58 75.83 63.08 67.50 5.9 7.0
Maximum 85.78 93.00 62.68 69.83 8.4 11.4 Maximum 106.17 111.83 87.00 92.67 5.3 6.5
Scrapper Operators Minimum 65.99 68.66 47.00 50.00 4.1 6.4 Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 78.25 81.96 67.82 72.41 4.7 6.8
Maximum 78.47 85.17 60.25 67.17 8.5 11.5 Maximum 107.81 113.48 94.17 99.67 5.3 5.8
Motor Grader Operators Minimum 59.83 61.00 - - 2.0 - Minimum 89.92 95.17 80.42 84.83 5.8 5.5
Scrapper Operators
Maximum 83.29 91.57 - - 9.9 - Maximum 109.83 115.50 95.33 100.50 5.2 5.4
Wheel Loader Operators Minimum 58.17 60.50 46.50 48.83 4.0 5.0 Minimum 85.72 90.33 - - 5.4 -
Motor Grader Operators
Maximum 81.13 88.17 61.00 68.00 8.7 11.5 Maximum 116.85 122.01 - - 4.4 -
Paver Operators Minimum 65.00 62.00 45.86 47.19 -4.6 2.9 Minimum 82.00 85.67 66.50 71.00 4.5 6.8
Wheel Loader Operators
Maximum 78.45 88.00 59.91 66.83 12.2 11.6 Maximum 110.83 116.17 95.83 101.17 4.8 5.6
Mobile Crane Operators Minimum 93.68 93.41 66.38 68.38 -0.3 3.0 Minimum 90.62 94.87 78.08 83.69 4.7 7.2
Paver Operators
Maximum 116.72 125.17 77.28 84.67 7.2 9.6 Maximum 112.17 118.17 97.33 102.83 5.4 5.7
Crawler Crane Operators Minimum 94.83 98.96 64.88 66.88 4.4 3.1 Minimum 92.83 98.83 78.71 83.39 6.5 5.9
Mobile Crane Operators
Maximum 114.14 120.46 78.81 86.17 5.5 9.3 Maximum 122.09 126.77 99.33 105.17 3.8 5.9
Tower Crane Operators Minimum 95.50 97.48 66.88 68.88 2.1 3.0 Minimum 95.58 101.50 79.54 84.46 6.2 6.2
Crawler Crane Operators
Maximum 114.88 122.82 79.14 87.00 6.9 9.9 Maximum 123.50 129.33 98.83 104.67 4.7 5.9
Forklift Truck Operators Minimum 72.00 75.17 44.33 47.33 4.4 6.8 Minimum 97.58 102.17 79.99 82.17 4.7 2.7
Tower Crane Operators
Maximum 86.52 93.30 62.67 69.83 7.8 11.4 Maximum 137.50 143.17 100.83 106.83 4.1 6.0
Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 63.83 65.83 48.00 49.33 3.1 2.8 Minimum 75.25 79.67 62.05 67.17 5.9 8.3
Forklift Truck Operators
Maximum 85.88 93.41 61.72 69.00 8.8 11.8 Maximum 93.17 98.83 80.83 86.67 6.1 7.2
Source : CIDB

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48 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 49
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Skill Level Change (%) Skill Level Change (%)

Minimum/ Minimum/
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled Semi- Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled 2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled

Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 72.25 76.83 59.92 64.50 6.3 7.7 Carpenter Joinery Minimum 92.13 88.37 71.73 69.98 -4.1 -2.5
Maximum 96.00 101.83 83.33 88.83 6.1 6.6 Maximum 128.29 128.28 99.63 99.85 -0.0 0.2
Roofer Minimum 85.46 84.65 66.62 68.29 -1.0 2.5
Source : CIDB
Maximum 119.58 123.28 91.63 99.99 3.1 9.1
Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 89.72 88.54 70.90 74.01 -1.3 4.4
Construction Workers was the lowest earner with RM53.77 per day. For semi-
In 2015, the highest growth in wages came from skilled construction worker, building wiring installer Maximum 128.76 132.89 101.36 108.19 3.2 6.7
general construction worker - civil after an increase of and barbender had the highest and lowest wages at General Welder Minimum 82.75 86.43 66.98 70.36 4.5 5.1
12.4% to RM95.85 per day (2014: RM85.30 per day). In RM117.38 and RM60.61 per day respectively. The Maximum 122.40 124.14 96.52 104.98 1.4 8.8
contrast, the largest contraction came from electrical difference between the daily minimum and maximum Plumber Building & Sanitary Minimum 83.22 81.30 63.04 63.33 -2.3 0.5
wireman PW2 with a reduction of 8.0% to RM2,829.53 wages range from RM44.35 and RM28.26 for local Maximum 118.50 120.86 90.54 98.27 2.0 8.5
per month (2014: RM3,075.31 per month). Reduction skilled construction workers, and from RM28.42 to Plumber Reticulation Minimum 88.34 87.62 72.88 73.68 -0.8 1.1
in the minimum and maximum wages was observed RM34.94 for local semi-skilled construction workers. Maximum 128.95 130.14 101.85 107.83 0.9 5.9
in 13 from 40 sections under local skilled construction The difference between the monthly minimum and Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 82.08 84.29 - 2.7
worker, and varies from 0.3% to 8.0%. At the same maximum wages range from RM898.20 to RM1,403.67. - 4.8
Maximum - - 112.04 117.38
time, only 3 sections were affected under local semi-
Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 1,850.51 1,931.33 - - 4.4 -
skilled construction worker (carpenter - joinery: -2.5%; Overall, the daily wages for local skilled and semi-
Maximum 3,075.31 2,829.53 - - -8.0 -
scaffolder - tubular: -0.8%; scaffolder - prefabricated: skilled construction workers in Malaysia increase by
Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM/month) Minimum 2,536.61 2,502.37 - - -1.4 -
-0.7%;). Most of these contractions could be attributed 2.0% to RM192.53 day (2014: 188.82 per day), and by
to the decline of average daily wages experienced in 3.3% to RM161.78 per day (2014: RM156.62 per day) Maximum 3,592.34 3,906.04 - - 8.7 -
Peninsular Malaysia. respectively. While the average monthly wages for PW2 Scaffolder Prefabricated Minimum 82.72 81.06 63.73 63.29 -2.0 -0.7
and PW4 electrical wireman saw an increase of 1.0% to Maximum 117.08 116.47 93.06 93.34 -0.5 0.3
The highest paid skilled construction worker was steel RM2,792.32 per month (2014: RM2,763.69 per month). Scaffolder Tubular Minimum 83.19 80.53 62.97 62.45 -3.2 -0.8
structure fabricators with RM132.89 per day. Under the Maximum 112.60 119.56 88.54 95.05 6.2 7.4
same category, general construction worker – building Painter Building Minimum 75.38 78.68 59.56 63.31 4.4 6.3
Maximum 105.73 107.71 85.46 89.24 1.9 4.4
Table 3.14 Average Wages of Local Construction Workers in Malaysia General Construction Worker - Civil Minimum 57.90 62.11 - - 7.3 -
Maximum 85.30 95.85 - - 12.4 -
Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- Source : CIDB
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled

General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 50.96 53.77 - - 5.5 - In Peninsular Malaysia, most of the categories in skilled average, semi-skilled construction workers had better
Maximum 81.47 82.03 - - 0.7 - and semi-skilled category of local construction workers wage increment at 2.7% to RM159.00 per day (2014:
Concretor Minimum 71.53 74.37 59.53 60.70 4.0 2.0 experience a decline in their daily wage rates. Average RM154.84 per day), than skilled construction workers
Maximum 112.06 109.42 87.23 90.66 -2.4 3.9 contractions of 2.5% were registered from 19 out 40 which grew by 1.3% to RM191.22 per day (2014:
Bricklayer Minimum 75.87 78.98 59.44 61.63 4.1 3.7 sections in the minimum and maximum wages. For RM188.75 per day). While P2 and P4 electrical wireman
Maximum 110.89 111.15 87.22 90.05 0.2 3.2 the skilled category, general construction worker - civil had better growth in the average monthly wages in
Plasterer Minimum 80.67 84.49 63.36 66.11 4.7 4.3 and electrical wireman PW2 had the highest and lowest Peninsular Malaysia, against Sabah and Sarawak with
Maximum 119.03 118.53 93.99 95.05 -0.4 1.1 growth in wages at 13.4% to RM96.50 per day (2014: an increase of 1.2% to RM2,799.67 per month (2014:
Tiler Minimum 89.01 89.05 67.40 67.81 0.1 0.6 RM85.14 per day) and at -9.3% to RM2,845.36 per RM2,766.69 per month).
Maximum 119.88 119.53 98.91 98.92 -0.3 0.0 month (2014: RM3,136.68 per month). For semi-
60.61 1.3 1.5
skilled category, roofer and carpenter – joinery had Steel structure fabricator and building wiring installer
Barbender Minimum 77.77 78.79 59.73
the highest and lowest of growth in wages at 9.7% had the highest wages for skilled and semi-skilled local
Maximum 111.69 111.90 88.78 89.12 0.2 0.4
to RM99.93 per day (2014: RM91.11 per day) and at construction workers at RM134.16 and RM116.36 per
Carpenter Formwork Minimum 82.89 82.96 63.69 67.11 0.1 5.4
-3.6% to RM66.95 per day (2014: RM69.45 per day). On day respectively. While the lowest wages for skilled
Maximum 117.91 122.81 90.69 95.68 4.2 5.5

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50 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 51
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

and semi-skilled local construction workers came from local construction workers, and between RM26.41 and Skill Level Change (%)
general construction worker – building and concretor RM37.50 for semi-skilled local construction workers. Minimum/
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
at RM53.95 and RM58.27 per day respectively. The Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
difference between the daily minimum and maximum
wages were between RM29.05 and RM47.43 for skilled Scaffolder Tubular Minimum 82.45 78.55 61.27 59.82 -4.7 -2.4
Maximum 113.34 120.50 88.41 95.00 6.3 7.5
Painter Building Minimum 74.43 77.32 58.70 62.27 3.9 6.1
Table 3.15 Average Wages of Local Construction Workers in Peninsular Malaysia Maximum 106.00 107.36 85.32 88.68 1.3 4.0
Skill Level Change (%) General Construction Worker - Civil Minimum 56.27 60.55 - - 7.6 -
Minimum/ Maximum 85.14 96.50 - - 13.4 -
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled Source : CIDB

General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 51.27 53.95 - - 5.2 -

Maximum 83.48 83.00 - - -0.6 - In Sabah, all categories of local construction workers (2014: RM160.95 per day). While the monthly wages for
Concretor Minimum 69.56 72.14 57.64 58.27 3.7 1.1 registered a positive growth in the average daily P2 and P4 electrical wireman increased marginally by
Maximum 109.34 86.57 89.55 -3.8 3.4 wages. An increase between 0.2% and 9.2% were 0.2% to RM1,671.50 per month (2014: RM2,666.17 per
113.63
registered in skilled category, and between 4.0% and month).
Bricklayer Minimum 74.50 77.23 59.23 60.86 3.7 2.8
9.6% were registered in semi-skilled category. General
Maximum 112.57 111.86 88.43 90.73 -0.6 2.6
construction worker – building had the highest growth Plumber – reticulation had the highest daily wages for
Plasterer Minimum 79.23 82.82 61.77 64.18 4.5 3.9
in the skilled category at 9.2% to RM76.83 per day skilled and semi-skilled construction workers in Sabah
Maximum 121.43 119.64 94.07 94.18 -1.5 0.1 (2014: RM70.33 per day), while bricklayers had the at RM126.50 and RM113.67 per day respectively.
Tiler Minimum 87.73 87.05 65.95 65.55 -0.8 -0.6 highest growth in the semi-skilled category at 9.6% to The lowest daily wages for skilled and semi-skilled
Maximum 120.93 119.36 99.80 98.77 -1.3 -1.0 RM65.02 per day (RM59.35 per day). PW2 and PW4 construction workers were the general construction
Barbender Minimum 75.82 76.32 58.00 58.32 0.7 0.6 electrical wiremen had the least wage increment in worker - building and bricklayer, which received an
Maximum 113.11 112.27 89.09 88.43 -0.7 -0.7 the skilled categories, of which the monthly wages average of RM51.48 and RM65.02 per day respectively
Carpenter Formwork Minimum 81.18 80.36 60.91 64.00 -1.0 5.0 increased between 0.2% and 0.3% (Refer Table 3.16). in 2015. The difference between the minimum and
Maximum 119.48 124.09 90.07 94.91 3.9 5.4 Under semi-skilled category, carpenter – joinery had maximum wages stands between RM17.09 and
Carpenter Joinery Minimum 90.73 85.45 69.45 66.95 -5.8 -3.6 the least increment at 4.0% to RM84.37 per day (2014: RM32.58 for the skilled construction workers, and
Maximum 128.64 99.39 98.57 -0.9 -0.8 RM81.15 per day). On average, the daily wages for between RM14.13 and RM25.31 for semi-skilled
129.75
skilled and semi skilled construction workers in Sabah construction workers. Sabah had the least difference
Roofer Minimum 83.64 82.00 63.95 65.23 -2.0 2.0
each increased by 5.6% to RM196.60 per day (2014: in the monthly minimum and maximum wages, which
Maximum 119.98 123.23 91.11 99.93 2.7 9.7
RM186.14 per day), and by 6.6% to RM171.56 per day ranges from RM5811.16 to RM681.16 per month.
Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 88.73 86.73 68.00 70.91 -2.3 4.3
Maximum 130.43 134.16 101.20 108.11 2.9 6.8
4.9
Table 3.16 Average Wages of Local Construction Workers in Sabah
General Welder Minimum 82.14 85.77 64.43 67.59 4.4
Maximum 123.73 124.73 96.16 105.09 0.8 9.3 Skill Level Change (%)
-0.6
Minimum/
Plumber Building & Sanitary Minimum 81.86 78.86 61.18 60.82 -3.7
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Maximum 119.75 121.36 90.30 98.32 1.4 8.9 Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Plumber Reticulation Minimum 86.82 85.05 69.77 70.00 -2.0 0.3
General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 48.82 51.48 - - 5.5 -
Maximum 129.80 130.05 99.98 105.95 0.2 6.0
Maximum 70.33 76.83 - - 9.2 -
Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 78.73 80.55 - 2.3
Concretor Minimum 81.84 86.51 68.94 72.43 5.7 5.1
Maximum - - 111.20 116.36 - 4.6
Maximum 101.70 108.97 87.98 93.64 7.2 6.4
Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 1,819.45 1,914.18 - - 5.2 -
Bricklayer Minimum 82.73 87.70 59.35 65.02 6.0 9.6
Maximum 3,136.68 2,845.36 - - -9.3 -
Maximum 101.20 106.83 79.63 85.50 5.6 7.4
Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM/month) Minimum 2,487.23 2,445.91 - - -1.7 -
Plasterer Minimum 85.40 89.53 68.87 72.77 4.8 5.7
Maximum 3,623.41 3,993.23 - - 10.2 -
Maximum 105.50 111.50 91.17 96.50 5.7 5.9
Scaffolder Prefabricated Minimum 81.50 78.64 62.59 61.05 -3.5 -2.5
Tiler Minimum 96.33 101.00 74.57 78.78 4.8 5.7
Maximum 119.73 117.86 93.59 92.82 -1.6 -0.8
Maximum 115.67 121.83 92.33 97.50 5.3 5.6

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Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Sarawak were still the highest compared with the with an average daily wages of RM53.97 and RM72.67
Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/ wages in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. per day. In 2015, the difference between the minimum
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled and maximum wages ranges between RM11.50 and
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Plumber - reticulation and building wiring installer RM29.46 for skilled construction workers, and between
Barbender Minimum 87.33 91.50 65.99 70.39 4.8 6.7 were the highest earner for skilled and semi-skilled RM16.31 and RM25.22 for semi-skilled construction
Maximum 105.00 110.83 84.17 90.17 5.6 7.1 construction workers with an average daily wages of workers. The difference between the monthly minimum
Carpenter - Formwork Minimum 92.24 96.24 76.06 81.10 4.3 6.6 RM134.83 and RM126.33 per day. In contrast, general and maximum wages were between RM646.05 and
89.67 95.50 5.9 6.5 construction worker - building and painter building was RM752.41.
Maximum 107.00 113.33
the lowest earner for skilled and semi-skilled category
Carpenter - Joinery Minimum 101.50 105.83 81.15 84.37 4.3 4.0
Maximum 120.67 126.33 99.00 104.50 4.7 5.6
Roofer Minimum 93.19 97.35 78.73 83.20 4.5 5.7 Table 3.17 Average Wages of Local Construction Workers in Sarawak
Maximum 116.67 122.83 91.83 97.33 5.3 6.0 Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/
Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 93.68 96.72 85.67 89.74 3.3 4.8 Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Maximum 117.67 123.83 99.83 106.50 5.2 6.7 Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
General Welder Minimum 83.92 86.92 80.09 84.92 3.6 6.0
General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 49.63 53.97 - - 8.7 -
Maximum 113.33 119.50 96.00 102.50 5.4 6.8
Maximum 70.58 76.50 - - 8.4 -
Plumber - Building & Sanitary Minimum 96.74 99.74 69.99 72.89 3.1 4.1
Concretor Minimum 82.82 86.82 71.00 75.67 4.8 6.6
Maximum 112.67 118.83 89.67 95.83 5.5 6.9
Maximum 105.10 110.70 93.75 100.00 5.3 6.7
Plumber - Reticulation Minimum 93.05 98.22 87.15 90.49 5.6 3.8
Bricklayer Minimum 84.03 89.53 61.83 66.67 6.6 7.8
Maximum 120.67 126.50 107.67 113.67 4.8 5.6
Maximum 102.16 107.65 81.50 87.17 5.4 7.0
Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 97.55 101.95 - 4.5
Plasterer Minimum 91.87 97.87 75.37 80.62 6.5 7.0
Maximum - - 113.33 119.67 - 5.6
Maximum 106.12 113.33 95.92 103.17 6.8 7.6
Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 1,970.67 1,975.67 - - 0.3 -
Tiler Minimum 95.77 99.20 76.19 81.75 3.6 7.3
Maximum 2,651.33 2,656.83 - - 0.2 -
Maximum 112.51 119.00 95.75 102.00 5.8 6.5
Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM/month) Minimum 2,731.00 2,736.17 - - 0.2 -
Barbender Minimum 89.67 93.33 72.45 76.00 4.1 4.9
Maximum 3,311.67 3,317.33 - - 0.2 -
Maximum 102.75 108.83 89.92 95.67 5.9 6.4
Scaffolder - Prefabricated Minimum 84.51 90.14 65.33 71.32 6.7 9.2
Carpenter - Formwork Minimum 92.37 98.24 81.86 87.36 6.4 6.7
Maximum 100.33 107.50 89.00 95.17 7.1 6.9
Maximum 111.58 118.17 98.58 104.33 5.9 5.8
Scaffolder - Tubular Minimum 84.04 88.24 69.37 73.43 5.0 5.9
Carpenter - Joinery Minimum 98.17 103.04 87.37 88.83 5.0 1.7
Maximum 105.33 111.17 85.83 91.83 5.5 7.0
Maximum 119.92 126.33 102.92 109.33 5.4 6.2
Painter - Building Minimum 79.73 85.33 60.20 65.36 7.0 8.6
Roofer Minimum 97.84 101.08 83.78 87.02 3.3 3.9
Maximum 101.70 107.10 84.50 90.67 5.3 7.3
Maximum 118.08 124.33 97.08 103.33 5.3 6.4
General Construction Worker - Civil Minimum 65.10 68.58 - - 5.4 -
Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 96.65 100.30 88.10 92.43 3.8 4.9
Maximum 85.33 91.17 - - 6.8 -
Maximum 121.42 128.00 104.58 110.67 5.4 5.8
Source : CIDB General Welder Minimum 88.28 93.20 81.92 86.27 5.6 5.3
Maximum 116.92 122.33 101.04 106.27 4.6 5.2
As with Sabah, all categories of construction workers the least increase of 1.7% to RM88.83 per day (2014: Plumber - Building & Sanitary Minimum 84.57 89.67 76.56 81.40 6.0 6.3
under skilled and semi-skilled in Sarawak posted a RM87.37 per day). On average, daily wages for skilled Maximum 110.58 117.33 94.08 100.17 6.1 6.5
positive increase in the average daily wage rates. and semi-skilled construction workers in Sarawak each 97.41 5.0 5.0
Plumber - Reticulation Minimum 100.37 105.37 92.74
General construction worker – building and bricklayer registered an increase of 5.5% to RM202.90 per day
Maximum 127.92 134.83 116.58 122.63 5.4 5.2
had the highest growth at 8.7% to RM53.97 per day (2014: RM192.29 per day), and 6.3% to RM182.60 per
Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 103.49 107.85 - 4.2
(2014: RM49.63 per day) and 7.8% to RM66.67 per day (2014: RM171.86 per day). Among the 3 regions
Maximum - - 119.92 126.33 - 5.4
day (2014: RM61.83 per day) respectively. For skilled in Malaysia, Sarawak had the least increment of
category, PW2 and PW4 electrical wireman had the monthly wages for P2 and P4 electrical wireman after Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 2,071.92 2,075.67 - - 0.2 -
least wage increase after the monthly wages registered an average increase of 0.1% to RM2,832.24 per month Maximum 2,824.20 2,828.08 - - 0.1 -
an increase between 0.1% and 0.2% (Table 3.17). For (2014: RM2,828.20 per month). However, the average Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM/month) Minimum 2,885.42 2,889.58 - - 0.1 -
the semi-skilled category, carpenter – joinery had monthly wages for P2 and P4 electrical wireman in Maximum 3,531.25 3,535.63 - - 0.1 -

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54 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 55
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Skill Level Change (%) In Peninsular Malaysia, system formwork installers had the highest growth of 12.1% to RM72.14 per day
Minimum/ had also the highest and lowest wages under IBS (2014: RM64.36 per day), while IBS lightweight panel
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled component installers at RM147.14 and RM85.18 per installers had the least growth of 0.3% to RM109.32
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
day. Under semi-skilled IBS component installers, per day (2014: RM109.00 per day). Overall, Peninsular
Scaffolder - Prefabricated Minimum 94.33 98.67 74.67 80.00 4.6 7.1 roof trust installers - (light gauge steel) and roof Malaysia had lower average wages of IBS component
Maximum 104.67 110.17 91.25 97.30 5.3 6.6 trust installers - (wood) had the highest and lowest installers, compared with Sabah and Sarawak. An
Scaffolder - Tubular Minimum 90.39 94.67 75.27 80.44 4.7 6.9 average wages at RM109.55 and RM67.91 per day. average increase of 1.8% to RM112.84 per day (2014:
Maximum 111.75 117.67 92.75 98.83 5.3 6.6 All categories of skilled IBS component installers RM110.85 per day) were registered for skilled IBS
Painter - Building Minimum 81.51 87.04 68.33 72.67 6.8 6.3 registered positive growth in wages, except for IBS component installers; while an average increase of
precast concrete installers (-0.2%) and IBS lightweight 6.5% to RM88.36 per day (2014: RM82.97 per day) were
Maximum 106.83 112.18 87.92 94.00 5.0 6.9
panel installers (-3.1%). At the same time, skilled IBS registered for semi-skilled IBS component installers.
General Construction Worker - Civil Minimum 68.63 72.86 - - 6.2 -
precast concrete installers had the highest wage The difference between the minimum and maximum
Maximum 87.08 93.33 - - 7.2 -
growth of 5.3% to RM93.59 per day (2014: RM88.86 wages was between RM40.41 and RM61.96 for skilled
Source : CIDB per day) under the maximum section. Under the IBS component installers, and RM32.68 and RM40.69
semi-skilled category, system formwork installers for semi-skilled IBS component installers.

IBS Component Installer component installer; and between 7.0% and 15.1%
In Malaysia, system formwork installers had both the under semi-skilled IBS component installer. Overall, Table 3.19 Average Wages of IBS Component Installers in Peninsular Malaysia
highest and lowest wages under skilled IBS component semi-skilled IBS component installer fared better
with average wage increase of 11.2% to RM91.81 per Skill Level Change (%)
installers at RM145.24 and RM87.95 per day. While IBS Minimum/
lightweight panel installers and roof truss installers - day (2014: RM82.57 per day); against average wage Category of IBS Component Installer Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
(wood) each had the highest and lowest wages under increase of 5.8% to RM115.66 per day (2014: RM109.36 2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
semi-skilled IBS component installers at RM113.56 per day) by skilled IBS component installers. The
IBS Precast Concrete Installers Minimum 88.86 93.59 66.82 72.41 5.3 8.4
and RM71.65 per day. All categories of IBS component difference between the minimum and maximum wages
Maximum 144.45 144.18 104.73 107.00 -0.2 2.2
installers registered positive increase in wages, which was between RM31.13 and RM57.29 for skilled and
IBS Lightweight Panel Installers Minimum 85.68 88.32 65.45 71.09 3.1 8.6
ranges between 1.5% and 8.3% under skilled IBS semi-skilled IBS component installers.
Maximum 139.09 134.73 109.00 109.32 -3.1 0.3
Lightweight BlockWall Installers Minimum 86.00 86.68 62.45 68.18 0.8 9.2
Table 3.18 Average Wages of IBS Component Installers in Malaysia Maximum 126.18 127.09 94.41 100.86 0.7 6.8
System Formwork Installers Minimum 82.64 85.18 64.36 72.14 3.1 12.1
Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/ Maximum 140.68 147.14 101.82 108.45 4.6 6.5
Category of IBS Component Installer Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled Roof Truss Installers - (Wood) Minimum 85.68 89.05 61.00 67.91 3.9 11.3
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Maximum 128.09 130.84 97.82 104.59 2.2 6.9
IBS Precast Concrete Installers Minimum 91.45 99.05 69.35 78.60 8.3 13.4 Roof Truss Installers - (Light Steel Gauge) Minimum 87.09 88.41 62.32 68.86 1.5 10.5
Maximum 145.31 150.67 104.88 112.27 3.7 7.0 Maximum 135.73 138.84 105.41 109.55 2.3 3.9
IBS Lightweight Panel Installers Minimum 87.92 93.96 67.73 76.44 6.9 12.9
Source : CIDB
Maximum 137.45 139.46 107.73 113.56 1.5 5.4
Lightweight BlockWall Installers Minimum 85.72 90.38 63.37 71.83 5.4 13.4
All categories of IBS component installers had per day (2014: RM76.92 per day), against IBS
Maximum 121.64 128.03 91.97 102.96 5.3 12.0
substantially higher wages in Sabah, compared with lightweight panel installers which had the least growth
System Formwork Installers Minimum 82.58 87.95 64.87 75.44 6.5 16.3
Peninsular Malaysia. IBS precast concrete installers of 27.4% to RM103.83 per day (2014: RM81.50 per
Maximum 134.29 145.24 99.76 111.05 8.2 11.3
had the highest wages under both skilled and semi- day). Under the skilled category, roof truss installers
Roof Truss Installers - (Wood) Minimum 85.03 91.87 62.24 71.65 8.1 15.1 skilled category with RM188.50 and RM142.00 per - (wood) and system formwork installers had the
Maximum 123.42 131.12 94.49 105.51 6.2 11.7 day respectively. While the lowest wages came from highest and lowest growth at 42.8% to RM134.67 per
Roof Truss Installers - (Light Steel Gauge) Minimum 86.65 91.19 63.08 72.27 5.2 14.6 skilled system formwork installers at 98.83 per day and day (2014: RM94.31 per day), and at 17.0% to RM98.83
Maximum 130.84 139.04 101.40 110.13 6.3 8.6 semi-skilled roof truss installers - (light steel gauge) at per day (2014: RM84.50 per day). Overall, Sabah had
RM88.83 per day. Significant growths were registered higher average wage in semi-skilled IBS component
Source : CIDB
under the semi-skilled IBS component installers. installers, which grew by 38.1% to RM110.89 per day
Under the semi-skilled category, lightweight blockwall (2014: RM80.32 per day), against a growth of 29.6% to
installers grew more than half at 53.6% to RM118.17 RM131.35 per day (2014: RM101.37 per day) by skilled

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56 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 57
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

IBS component installers. The difference between the RM23.66 and RM35.34 for semi-skilled IBS component Skill Level Change (%)
minimum and maximum wages was between RM27.34 installers. Minimum/
Category of IBS Component Installer Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
and RM59.83 for skilled IBS component installers, and Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled

Table 3.20 Average Wages of IBS Component Installers in Sabah Lightweight BlockWall Installers Minimum 83.33 112.67 67.33 93.00 35.2 38.1
Maximum 97.83 130.17 80.17 110.83 33.1 38.3
Skill Level Change (%) System Formwork Installers Minimum 80.00 107.50 65.83 94.83 34.4 44.1
Minimum/
Category of IBS Component Installer Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- Maximum 100.17 132.83 90.17 124.83 32.6 38.5
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled Roof Truss Installers - (Wood) Minimum 78.83 110.67 68.67 95.33 40.4 38.8
IBS Precast Concrete Installers Minimum 109.33 128.67 86.67 114.83 17.7 32.5 Maximum 101.17 130.67 78.83 108.33 29.2 37.4
Maximum 147.14 188.50 103.97 142.00 28.1 36.6 Roof Truss Installers - (Light Steel Gauge) Minimum 82.50 111.17 66.33 93.17 34.8 40.5
IBS Lightweight Panel Installers Minimum 102.33 127.17 81.50 103.83 24.3 27.4 Maximum 105.17 137.67 80.83 113.83 30.9 40.8
Maximum 127.33 167.83 99.97 139.17 31.8 39.2 Source : CIDB
Lightweight BlockWall Installers Minimum 85.00 108.83 69.50 90.83 28.0 30.7
Maximum 95.50 136.17 76.92 118.17 42.6 53.6 Wage Rates of Foreign roller operators at RM27.72 and RM24.47.
System Formwork Installers Minimum 84.50 98.83 69.50 92.33 17.0 32.9 Construction Workers
Maximum 98.14 136.83 86.67 125.83 39.4 45.2 For skilled machinery operators, the highest growth
Roof Truss Installers - (Wood) Minimum 84.00 104.17 69.50 89.17 24.0 28.3 Construction Machinery Operators in wages came from backhoe loader operators
Maximum 94.31 134.67 73.56 112.83 42.8 53.4 In 2015, semi-skilled machinery operators fared better after an increase of 8.9% to RM67.13 per day (2014:
than skilled machinery operators with an average RM61.65 per day). At the same time, 5 categories
Roof Truss Installers - (Light Steel Gauge) Minimum 86.00 101.83 68.17 88.83 18.4 30.3
wage increase of 6.4% and 2.3% respectively. Tower saw a contraction in growth of wages (Forklift truck
Maximum 102.81 142.67 77.89 112.83 38.8 44.9
crane operators had the highest wages in the skilled operators: -7.8%; tower crane operators: -6.5%; mobile
Source : CIDB and semi-skilled category each at RM128.55 and crane operators: -5.3%; crawler crane operators:
RM107.28 per day, while forklift truck operators had -1.7%; and roller operators: -0.8%). For semi-skilled
the lowest wages in the skilled and semi-skilled machinery operators, 4 categories experienced a
IBS component installers also enjoyed higher wages (2014: RM78.83 per day) and skilled system formwork double-digit growth in wages (Forklift truck operators:
category each at RM58.99 and RM51.81 per day.
in Sarawak, with all categories registered positive installers at 44.1% to RM94.83 per day (2014: RM65.83 15.2%; slinger/dogger operators: 12.3%; tower crane
Tower crane operators had the largest difference
increase in daily wages. Similar with Sabah, IBS precast per day). Overall, Sarawak had higher average wage in operators: 11.7%; roller/compactor operators at 13.2%
between the minimum and maximum wages for
concrete installers had the highest wages under both semi-skilled IBS component installers, which grew by and 10.2%). Only semi-skilled forklift truck operators
both skilled and semi-skilled machinery operators at
skilled and semi-skilled category with RM184.17 37.4% to RM110.64 per day (2014: RM80.50 per day), RM52.92 and RM43.14. The least difference between had a contraction of 3.1% to RM51.81 per day (2014:
and RM140.50 per day respectively. While the lowest against a growth of 29.8% to RM131.09 per day (2014: the minimum and maximum wages for both skilled RM53.46 per day). The other categories saw a range
wages came from skilled system formwork installers RM100.96 per day) by skilled IBS component installers. and semi-skilled machinery operators came from of wage increase from 0.3% to 9.6%.
at RM107.50 per day and semi-skilled lightweight The difference between the minimum and maximum
blockwall installers at RM93.00 per day. IBS precast wages was between RM17.50 and RM54.67 for skilled  
Table 3.22 Average Wages of Foreign Machine Operators in Malaysia
concrete installers had also the lowest growth both IBS component installers, and at lesser variance for
under skilled (20.5%) and semi-skilled category (30.7%). semi-skilled IBS component installers at between Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/
While the highest growth came from skilled roof truss RM13.00 and RM30.00. Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
installers - (wood) at 40.4% to RM110.67 per day Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled

Excavator Minimum - - 63.21 64.76 - 2.4

Table 3.21 Average Wages of IBS Component Installers in Sarawak
Maximum - - 99.13 100.22 - 1.1
Skill Level Change (%) Pile Riggers Minimum 66.05 70.29 53.35 56.28 6.4 5.5
Minimum/
Category of IBS Component Installer Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- Maximum 100.11 103.23 81.38 85.92 3.1 5.6
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 61.24 65.41 49.69 54.46 6.8 9.6
Maximum 92.05 95.10 74.76 81.73 3.3 9.3
IBS Precast Concrete Installers Minimum 102.00 129.50 79.83 110.50 27.0 38.4
Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 61.65 67.13 - - 8.9 -
Maximum 152.83 184.17 107.50 140.50 20.5 30.7
Maximum 94.49 98.73 - - 4.5 -
IBS Lightweight Panel Installers Minimum 98.17 122.83 79.00 107.83 25.1 36.5
Roller Operators Minimum 64.21 66.45 48.21 50.90 3.5 5.6
Maximum 129.50 163.17 101.50 134.67 26.0 32.7
Maximum 94.94 94.17 70.26 75.37 -0.8 7.3

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58 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 59
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Skill Level Change (%) Table 3.23 Average Wages of Foreign Machine Operators in Peninsular Malaysia
Minimum/
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- Skill Level Change (%)
Wage Skilled Minimum/
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 58.40 60.88 47.78 52.63 4.3 10.2 2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Maximum 94.35 98.38 72.83 82.41 4.3 13.2 Excavator Minimum - - 63.20 64.86 - 2.6
Scrapper Operators Minimum 61.54 64.94 52.78 57.08 5.5 8.2 Maximum - - 98.02 98.45 - 0.4
Maximum 93.86 100.28 77.17 83.19 6.8 7.8 Pile Riggers Minimum 66.68 70.45 53.30 55.97 5.7 5.0
Motor Grader Operators Minimum 66.12 66.68 - - 0.9 - Maximum 98.91 102.05 81.61 85.36 3.2 4.6
Maximum 95.23 98.00 - - 2.9 - Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 61.66 65.64 49.73 54.36 6.5 9.3
Wheel Loader Operators Minimum 66.32 67.97 53.23 56.46 2.5 6.1 Maximum 90.73 94.14 73.89 79.05 3.8 7.0
Maximum 96.17 99.15 76.76 81.78 3.1 6.6 Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 61.84 67.61 - - 9.3 -
Paver Operators Minimum 67.49 68.42 52.65 55.26 1.4 5.0 Maximum 93.45 97.55 - - 4.4 -
Maximum 97.06 99.69 78.41 82.69 2.7 5.5 Roller Operators Minimum 64.05 66.95 48.07 50.93 4.5 6.0
Mobile Crane Operators Minimum 79.35 79.63 62.53 64.28 0.4 2.8 Maximum 93.95 92.68 69.86 74.77 -1.4 7.0
Maximum 122.89 116.37 90.26 91.90 -5.3 1.8 Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 58.91 61.41 48.11 52.18 4.2 8.5
Crawler Crane Operators Minimum 79.08 77.74 59.91 61.18 -1.7 2.1 Maximum 93.14 95.93 72.09 81.32 3.0 12.8
Maximum 113.59 113.83 85.52 90.50 0.2 5.8 Scrapper Operators Minimum 62.61 66.18 52.41 56.16 5.7 7.2
Tower Crane Operators Minimum 80.88 75.63 63.95 64.14 -6.5 0.3 Maximum 92.93 98.66 76.84 82.14 6.2 6.9
Maximum 123.41 128.55 96.04 107.28 4.2 11.7 Motor Grader Operators Minimum 66.77 67.77 - - 1.5 -
Forklift Truck Operators Minimum 63.97 58.99 53.46 51.81 -7.8 -3.1 Maximum 94.02 97.00 - - 3.2 -
Maximum 89.00 94.22 71.74 82.67 5.9 15.2 Wheel Loader Operators Minimum 66.14 67.86 53.09 55.84 2.6 5.2
Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 64.81 67.37 52.31 55.99 4.0 7.0 Maximum 94.18 97.45 75.95 80.32 3.5 5.8
Maximum 90.65 94.50 72.53 81.45 4.3 12.3 Paver Operators Minimum 68.14 69.45 52.68 54.98 1.9 4.4
Source : CIDB Maximum 96.30 97.84 77.91 81.09 1.6 4.1
Mobile Crane Operators Minimum 79.09 80.09 62.32 64.09 1.3 2.8
Foreign machinery operators had the least amount of For skilled machinery operators, backhoe loader Maximum 118.68 114.55 88.02 90.36 -3.5 2.7
growth in wages at Peninsular Malaysia, compared operator had the highest growth of wages at 9.3% Crawler Crane Operators Minimum 79.09 78.73 60.09 61.36 -0.5 2.1
with Sabah and Sarawak. In Peninsular Malaysia, to RM67.61 per day (2014: RM61.84 per day). All Maximum 112.20 112.27 85.07 89.86 0.1 5.6
foreign personnel had an average wage increase of categories under the skilled machine operators Tower Crane Operators Minimum 81.77 77.50 64.68 64.68 -5.2 0.0
2.5% to RM85.07 per day (2014: RM82.99 per day) registered positive increase in their respective wages
Maximum 120.82 126.50 95.75 104.68 4.7 9.3
and 5.7% to RM71.30 per day (2014: RM67.48 per except for crawler crane operators (-0.5%); roller
Forklift Truck Operators Minimum 64.66 61.28 53.55 51.41 -5.2 -4.0
day) under the skilled and semi-skilled category of operators (-1.4%); mobile crane operators (-3.5%);
Maximum 88.61 93.14 72.23 82.27 5.1 13.9
machinery operators. tower crane operators (-5.2%); and forklift truck
Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 65.09 68.18 52.95 56.27 4.8 6.3
operators (-5.2%).
Under the skilled and semi-skilled category, tower Maximum 89.27 93.09 72.95 81.05 4.3 11.1
crane operators earned the highest wages each For semi-skilled machinery operators, roller/compactor Source : CIDB
at RM126.50 and RM104.68 per day, while forklift operators had the highest growth of wages at 12.8%
truck operators earned the lowest wages each at to RM81.32 per day (2014: RM72.09 per day). The only
Foreign machinery operators enjoyed the highest For skilled machinery operators, the highest and
RM61.28 and RM51.41 per day. The largest difference reduction of wages under this category came from
growth of wages in Sabah, against Peninsular Malaysia lowest wages came from crawler crane operators
in minimum and maximum wages were registered forklift truck operators, which saw their daily wages
and Sarawak. However, foreign machinery operators in at RM102.60 per day and motor grader operators
under tower crane operators at RM49.00 and RM40.00 decline by 4.0% to RM51.41 per day (2014: RM53.55
Sabah also earned considerable lesser wages against at RM51.33 per day. For semi-skilled machinery
for both skilled and semi-skilled machine operators. per day). On an interesting note, wages for semi-skilled
the other two regions. An average increase of 7.8% operators, excavator and forklift truck operators had the
Skilled slinger/dogger operator and semi-skilled tower crane operators remain unchanged at 64.68 per
to RM73.40 per day (2014: RM68.06 per day) and highest and lowest wages at RM82.50 and RM40.17
roller operators had the least difference between the day in 2015.
9.1% to RM55.69 per day (2014: RM51.05 per day) per day each. The difference between the minimum
minimum and maximum wages at RM24.91 and
were registered for skilled and semi-skilled foreign and maximum wages varies from RM5.02 to RM26.50
RM23.84 respectively.
machinery operators respectively in 2015. for skilled machinery operators and from RM14.24 to
RM26.67 for semi-skilled machinery operators.

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Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

All categories of machinery operators registered an of wages at 35.2% to RM71.65 per day (2014: RM53.00 RM104.60 per day. The lowest wages for both skilled machinery operators.
increase in their respective wages, ranging from 1.2% per day) and 14.9% to RM73.33 per day (2014: RM63.83 and semi-skilled categories came from slinger/dogger
to 35.2%. Skilled backhoe loader operators and semi- per day) respectively. operators each at RM64.50 and RM54.34 per day. All categories of local machinery operators register an
skilled crawler crane operators had the highest growth Under skilled machine operators, RM13.33 to RM33.39 increase in wages ranging from 3.9% to 11.3%. The
in difference was registered between minimum highest increase in wages were skilled forklift truck
Table 3.24 Average Wages of Foreign Machine Operators in Sabah and maximum wages. At the same time, RM16.71 operators at 8.4% to RM67.50 per day (2014: RM62.25
to RM34.19 in difference between minimum and per day), and semi-skilled roller operators at 11.3% to
Skill Level Change (%) maximum wages was registered under semi-skilled RM56.50 per day (2014: RM50.75 per day).
Minimum/
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled Table 3.25 Average Wages of Foreign Machine Operators in Sarawak
Excavator Minimum - - 55.17 55.83 - 1.2 Skill Level Change (%)
Maximum - - 73.50 82.50 - 12.2 Minimum/
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Pile Riggers Minimum 59.50 60.67 41.00 42.17 2.0 2.9 Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Maximum 74.11 81.33 53.00 60.83 9.7 14.8
40.33 6.5 1.3 Excavator Minimum - - 69.25 74.33 - 7.3
Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 56.18 59.85 39.83
59.67 10.1 14.4 Maximum - - 98.83 104.60 - 5.8
Maximum 66.62 73.33 52.17
- 35.2 - Pile Riggers Minimum 65.46 70.33 56.89 61.38 7.4 7.9
Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 53.00 71.65 -
- 9.8 - Maximum 86.98 93.17 72.29 78.09 7.1 8.0
Maximum 69.83 76.67 -
44.59 5.6 6.0 Off Road Truck Operators Minimum 70.17 75.22 58.50 62.49 7.2 6.8
Roller Operators Minimum 56.50 59.67 42.07
58.83 9.6 12.3 Maximum 91.83 97.50 79.67 82.80 6.2 3.9
Maximum 69.67 76.33 52.37
43.75 2.8 4.0 Backhoe Loader Operators Minimum 63.92 68.83 - - 7.7 -
Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 59.88 61.57 42.08
59.83 11.4 15.1 Maximum 83.00 88.50 - - 6.6 -
Maximum 74.33 82.83 51.98
40.67 2.1 3.4 Roller Operators Minimum 64.52 69.50 50.75 56.50 7.7 11.3
Scrapper Operators Minimum 55.00 56.17 39.33
61.50 10.9 14.5 Maximum 88.00 93.17 78.89 84.39 5.9 7.0
Maximum 70.78 78.50 53.70
- - 5.5 - Roller/Compactor Operators Minimum 67.83 72.08 56.72 60.81 6.3 7.2
Motor Grader Operators Minimum 48.67 51.33
- - 10.4 - Maximum 95.17 100.83 89.50 95.00 6.0 6.2
Maximum 70.50 77.83
41.00 43.17 4.2 5.3 Scrapper Operators Minimum 84.92 89.17 69.06 71.50 5.0 3.5
Wheel Loader Operators Minimum 51.83 54.00
54.33 60.17 10.2 10.7 Maximum 96.83 102.50 89.33 94.83 5.9 6.2
Maximum 70.00 77.17
38.83 41.00 3.3 5.6 Motor Grader Operators Minimum 73.62 77.44 - - 5.2 -
Paver Operators Minimum 55.45 57.29
54.18 60.83 10.4 12.3 Maximum 104.99 110.83 - - 5.6 -
Maximum 68.21 75.33
53.00 53.67 2.8 1.3 Wheel Loader Operators Minimum 68.17 72.50 59.58 64.17 6.4 7.7
Mobile Crane Operators Minimum 78.62 80.83
64.33 73.00 7.5 13.5 Maximum 98.17 103.83 82.11 89.83 5.8 9.4
Maximum 95.01 102.10
54.00 55.67 2.9 3.1 Paver Operators Minimum 79.05 84.64 67.23 70.66 7.1 5.1
Crawler Crane Operators Minimum 79.67 82.00
63.83 73.33 8.0 14.9 Maximum 98.50 104.17 87.83 93.50 5.8 6.5
Maximum 95.01 102.60
49.50 53.33 3.6 7.7 Mobile Crane Operators Minimum 82.58 87.50 69.72 75.07 6.0 7.7
Tower Crane Operators Minimum 79.07 81.92
68.50 75.50 8.1 10.2 Maximum 106.06 112.17 87.33 92.83 5.8 6.3
Maximum 94.00 101.60
37.83 40.17 3.1 6.2 Crawler Crane Operators Minimum 85.08 90.67 69.53 74.33 6.6 6.9
Forklift Truck Operators Minimum 54.67 56.33
53.83 60.67 10.9 12.7 Maximum 104.23 109.70 87.17 92.67 5.3 6.3
Maximum 71.70 79.50
42.50 44.33 2.4 4.3 Tower Crane Operators Minimum 86.75 91.83 70.23 74.50 5.9 6.1
Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 54.67 56.00
55.33 62.67 10.0 13.3 Maximum 113.83 121.17 90.17 95.83 6.4 6.3
Maximum 73.33 80.67
Forklift Truck Operators Minimum 62.25 67.50 50.58 55.50 8.4 9.7
Source : CIDB Maximum 82.50 88.50 71.00 76.25 7.4
7.3
Slinger/Dogger Operators Minimum 59.92 64.50 49.26 54.34 7.7 10.3
Foreign machinery operators had the most amount skilled machine operators saw their average wages rise 77.17
Maximum 83.67 89.17 71.50 6.6 7.9
of wages, and stable growth in Sarawak, against by 6.9% to RM77.44 per day (2014: RM72.42 per day).
Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. Skilled machine Source : CIDB
operators saw their average wages rise by 6.3% to The highest wages came from skilled tower crane
RM89.18 per day (2014: RM83.86 per day), while semi- operators and semi-skilled excavator at RM121.17 and

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62 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 63
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Construction Workers construction workers, and from RM20.87 to RM30.83 Skill Level Change (%)
Overall, foreign construction workers had firm increase for semi-skilled construction workers. The difference Minimum/
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
of wages. In 2015, the average wages of foreign between the monthly minimum and maximum wages Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
skilled and semi-skilled construction workers in range from RM683.22 to RM1,108.56.
Malaysia increase by 2.5% to RM160.51 per day (2014: Plumber - Building & Sanitary Minimum 66.83 66.90 53.41 55.00 0.1 3.0
RM156.55 per day), and by 4.4% to RM137.67 per The highest growth in wages came from skilled general Maximum 96.65 100.78 77.46 83.78 4.3 8.2
day (2014: RM131.83 per day) respectively. While the construction worker - civil after an increase of 11.0% Plumber - Reticulation Minimum 74.08 75.16 59.93 62.18 1.5 3.8
average monthly wages for PW2 and PW4 electrical to RM78.19 per day (2014: RM70.43 per day) and Maximum 104.49 107.46 84.00 90.26 2.8 7.5
wireman falls by 1.4% to RM2,193.98 per month (2014: semi-skilled steel structure fabricator after an increase Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 68.00 71.76 - 5.5
RM2,224.68 per month). of 12.5% to RM92.35 per day (2014: RM82.11 per day). - 98.83 100.86 - 2.1
Maximum -
Reduction in the minimum and maximum wages was
Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 1,455.64 1,547.74 - - 6.3 -
The highest paid skilled construction worker was observed in 7 from 40 sections under foreign skilled
Maximum 2,509.00 2,230.96 - - -11.1 -
general welder with RM109.51 per day. Under the construction worker, and varies from 0.3% to 11.1%.
Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM month) Minimum 1,891.24 1,944.32 - - 2.8 -
same category, general construction worker – building The largest contraction came from electrical wireman
was the lowest earner with RM45.25 per day. For semi- PW2 with a reduction of 11.1% to RM2,230.96 per Maximum 3,043.57 3,052.88 - - 0.3 -
skilled construction worker, building wiring installer month (2014: RM2,509.00 per month). At the same Scaffolder - Prefabricated Minimum 66.49 66.86 54.84 56.91 0.6 3.8
and barbender had the highest and lowest wages at time, only scaffolder - prefabricated (-2.8%) were the Maximum 101.44 97.25 81.85 79.55 -4.1 -2.8
RM100.86 and RM50.77 per day respectively. The only category affected under semi-skilled construction Scaffolder - Tubular Minimum 66.88 65.78 51.83 54.26 -1.7 4.7
difference between the daily minimum and maximum worker. Maximum 96.95 97.92 75.55 80.56 1.0 6.6
wages range from RM24.95 to RM34.28 for skilled Painter - Building Minimum 61.67 65.70 48.57 52.46 6.5 8.0
Maximum 90.78 91.88 71.42 74.29 1.2 4.0
Table 3.26 Average Wages of Foreign Construction Workers in Malaysia General Construction Worker - Civil Minimum 48.27 53.23 - - 10.3 -
Skill Level Change (%) Maximum 70.43 78.19 - - 11.0 -
Minimum/
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- Source : CIDB
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Peninsular Malaysia was the only region which at RM44.77 and RM48.41 per day respectively. The
General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 42.29 45.25 - - 7.0 -
had contractions of wages in the categories under difference between the daily minimum and maximum
Maximum 67.77 70.54 - - 4.1 -
the skilled and semi-skilled category of foreign wages were between RM26.02 and RM36.25 for skilled
Concretor Minimum 59.05 63.43 48.72 50.81 7.4 4.3
construction workers. Average contractions of 3.2% construction workers, and between RM21.64 and
Maximum 91.41 92.80 75.83 77.72 1.5 2.5 were registered from 11 out 40 sections in the skilled RM33.18 for semi-skilled construction workers. The
Bricklayer Minimum 61.08 64.85 48.72 53.36 6.2 9.5 category. Compared with Sabah and Sarawak, difference between the average monthly minimum and
Maximum 93.01 93.71 72.16 74.74 0.8 3.6 Peninsular Malaysia had also the least growth and maximum wages were most obvious in Peninsular
Plasterer Minimum 66.54 71.43 52.50 57.46 7.4 9.4 lesser amount of wages of foreign construction Malaysia, which ranges between RM659.59 and
Maximum 97.85 98.29 80.03 81.74 0.5 2.2 workers. Semi-skilled construction workers had better RM1,163.41.
Tiler Minimum 70.55 71.60 55.28 57.22 1.5 3.5 wage increment at 3.9% to RM133.89 per day (2014:
Maximum 102.18 101.40 82.00 83.73 -0.8 2.1 RM128.89 per day), than skilled construction workers For the skilled category, general construction worker
Barbender Minimum 62.63 65.22 47.77 50.77 4.1 6.3 which grew by 1.8% to RM157.59 per day (2014: – civil and PW2 electrical wireman had the highest
Maximum 92.79 90.17 71.43 74.90 -2.8 4.9 RM154.80 per day). While average wages of P2 and P4 and lowest growth of wages at 11.9% to RM77.84
electrical wireman declines by 1.7% to RM2,197.09 per per day (2014: RM69.59 per day) and at -12.9% to
Carpenter - Formwork Minimum 66.60 68.90 55.54 59.12 3.5 6.4
month (2014: RM2,234.49 per month). RM2,217.95 per month (2014: RM2,547.41 per month).
Maximum 93.19 95.77 76.96 79.99 2.8 3.9
For semi-skilled category, steel structure fabricator and
Carpenter - Joinery Minimum 76.01 75.81 59.30 60.95 -0.3 2.8
General welder and building wiring installer had the scaffolder - prefabricated had the highest and lowest
Maximum 105.22 103.28 84.26 84.32 -1.8 0.1 highest daily wages of skilled and semi-skilled local growth of wages at 13.9% to RM91.45 per day (2014:
Roofer Minimum 71.15 72.30 55.36 57.45 1.6 3.8 construction workers at RM108.61 and RM97.86 per RM80.32 per day) and at -4.6% to RM77.55 per day
Maximum 97.26 101.82 78.08 84.34 4.7 8.0 day respectively. While the lowest daily wages of skilled (2014: RM81.27 per day).
Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 76.35 77.68 57.50 61.52 1.7 7.0 and semi-skilled local construction workers came from
Maximum 104.58 109.46 82.11 92.35 4.7 12.5 general construction worker – building and concretor
General Welder Minimum 70.11 75.23 58.46 61.08 7.3 4.5
Maximum 101.15 109.51 79.79 87.15 8.3 9.2

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64 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 65
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Table 3.27 Average Wages of Foreign Construction Workers in Peninsular Malaysia Foreign construction workers had a higher growth workers, and between RM16.11 and RM28.17 for semi-
of wages in Sabah against Peninsular Malaysia and skilled construction workers. The difference between
Skill Level Change (%) Sarawak. On average, the daily wages for skilled the monthly minimum and maximum wages were
Minimum/
Category of Machine Operator Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- and semi-skilled construction workers in Sabah between RM761.83 and RM805.52.
Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled each increased by 6.1% to RM173.84 per day (2014:
RM163.79 per day), and by 7.1% to RM154.41 per day All categories of foreign construction workers
General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 41.91 44.77 - - 6.8 - (2014: RM144.14 per day). While the monthly wages registered a positive growth in the average daily wages.
Maximum 69.07 71.27 - - 3.2 - for P2 and P4 electrical wireman increased marginally An increase between 0.2% and 10.2% were registered
Concretor Minimum 56.50 61.05 46.59 48.41 8.1 3.9 by 0.3% to RM2,117.58 per month (2014: RM2,111.99 in skilled category, and between 3.9% and 10.7%
Maximum 90.84 91.41 75.52 76.68 0.6 1.5 per month). were registered in semi-skilled category. General
Bricklayer Minimum 60.73 64.23 48.18 52.68 5.8 9.3 construction worker – building had the highest growth
Maximum 94.48 94.27 72.89 74.91 -0.2 2.8 Plumber – reticulation and building wiring installer had in the skilled category at 10.2% to RM66.83 per day
the highest daily wages for skilled and semi-skilled (2014: RM60.67 per day), while bricklayers had the
Plasterer Minimum 65.50 70.27 51.77 56.55 7.3 9.2
construction workers at RM116.00 and RM112.17 per highest growth in the semi-skilled category at 10.7%
Maximum 98.00 97.27 78.80 79.68 -0.7 1.1
day respectively. The lowest daily wages for skilled and to RM55.33 per day (RM50.00 per day). PW2 and PW4
Tiler Minimum 68.77 69.23 53.73 55.27 0.7 2.9 semi-skilled construction workers were the general electrical wiremen had the least wage increment in
Maximum 102.84 100.91 81.20 82.14 -1.9 1.2 construction worker - building and bricklayer, which the skilled categories, of which the monthly wages
Barbender Minimum 60.30 62.59 45.86 48.50 3.8 5.8 received an average of RM47.47 and RM55.33 per increased by an average of 0.3% (Table 3.28). Under
Maximum 93.43 89.23 70.50 73.50 -4.5 4.3 day respectively in 2015. The difference between the semi-skilled category, carpenter – joinery had the least
Carpenter - Formwork Minimum 64.14 65.91 52.55 55.95 2.8 6.5 minimum and maximum daily wages stands between increment at 3.9% to RM72.89 per day (2014: RM70.16
94.73 75.07 77.59 2.2 3.4 RM14.05 and RM26.92 for the skilled construction per day).
Maximum 92.68
Carpenter - Joinery Minimum 73.73 72.77 56.95 58.27 -1.3 2.3
Table 3.28 Average Wages of Foreign Construction Workers in Sabah
Maximum 104.80 101.36 82.75 81.77 -3.3 -1.2
Roofer Minimum 68.86 69.59 53.36 55.14 1.1 3.3 Skill Level Change (%)
Minimum/
Maximum 96.18 100.45 76.52 82.89 4.4 8.3 Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled
Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 73.73 74.59 54.41 58.27 1.2 7.1 2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled
Maximum 103.70 108.41 80.32 91.45 4.5 13.9 General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 44.30 47.47 - - 7.2 -
General Welder Minimum 67.32 72.36 55.98 58.32 7.5 4.2 Maximum 60.67 66.83 - - 10.2 -
Maximum 99.80 108.61 77.45 85.09 8.8 9.9 Concretor Minimum 71.95 75.43 59.03 62.36 4.8 5.7
Plumber - Building & Sanitary Minimum 64.59 64.00 52.00 53.20 -0.9 2.3 Maximum 91.80 97.30 76.00 81.83 6.0 7.7
Maximum 96.45 100.23 76.66 83.05 3.9 8.3 Bricklayer Minimum 63.33 68.50 50.00 55.33 8.2 10.7
Plumber - Reticulation Minimum 71.00 71.34 56.50 58.14 0.5 2.9 Maximum 85.33 90.67 65.27 71.50 6.3 9.6
Maximum 102.61 105.05 81.43 87.95 2.4 8.0 Plasterer Minimum 70.22 74.58 55.91 61.33 6.2 9.7
Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 64.09 67.59 - 5.5 Maximum 95.50 101.50 84.00 89.50 6.3 6.6
Maximum - - 96.52 97.86 - 1.4 Tiler Minimum 79.17 83.67 62.95 66.98 5.7 6.4
Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 1,450.55 1,558.36 - - 7.4 - Maximum 98.00 103.17 83.50 89.17 5.3 6.8
Maximum 2,547.41 2,217.95 - - -12.9 - Barbender Minimum 75.79 80.12 56.38 61.51 5.7 9.1
Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM/month) Minimum 1,862.36 1,924.32 - - 3.3 - Maximum 88.33 94.17 76.50 82.50 6.6 7.8
Maximum 3,077.64 3,087.73 - - 0.3 - Carpenter - Formwork Minimum 79.77 84.60 69.99 73.72 6.1 5.3
Scaffolder - Prefabricated Minimum 65.23 64.91 53.45 55.09 -0.5 3.1 Maximum 93.33 98.83 84.17 89.83 5.9 6.7
Maximum 102.86 96.86 81.27 77.55 -5.8 -4.6 Carpenter - Joinery Minimum 86.25 89.65 70.16 72.89 4.0 3.9
Scaffolder - Tubular Minimum 65.30 63.09 49.95 52.05 -3.4 4.2 Maximum 107.33 113.50 90.17 95.83 5.8 6.3
Maximum 97.09 97.09 74.57 79.36 0.0 6.4 Roofer Minimum 81.45 85.25 63.85 68.19 4.7 6.8
Painter - Building Minimum 60.16 64.00 47.11 50.73 6.4 7.7 Maximum 99.33 105.33 84.17 89.67 6.0 6.5
Maximum 90.73 90.95 70.64 72.95 0.3 3.3 Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 88.24 90.74 71.92 77.02 2.8 7.1
General Construction Worker - Civil Minimum 46.82 51.82 - - 10.7 - Maximum 106.67 112.17 90.67 96.83 5.2 6.8
Maximum 69.59 77.84 - - 11.9 - General Welder Minimum 82.20 88.46 69.99 74.06 7.6 5.8
Source : CIDB Maximum 106.33 112.50 90.50 96.83 5.8 7.0

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66 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 67
Wage Rates of Construction Personnel Wage Rates of Construction Personnel

Skill Level Change (%) Skill Level Change (%)

Minimum/ Minimum/
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi- Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled Wage Skilled
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled 2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled

Plumber - Building & Sanitary Minimum 79.25 82.37 59.66 62.83 4.0 5.3 Plasterer Minimum 74.27 81.00 57.11 63.60 9.1 11.4
Maximum 98.67 105.00 80.33 86.17 6.4 7.3 Maximum 98.58 106.33 89.58 96.67 7.9 7.9
Plumber - Reticulation Minimum 88.91 94.20 76.25 82.19 6.0 7.8 Tiler Minimum 81.52 85.61 64.71 68.88 5.0 6.5
Maximum 110.00 116.00 96.67 101.00 5.5 4.5 Maximum 99.08 105.00 89.25 95.83 6.0 7.4
Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 86.95 92.07 - 5.9 Barbender Minimum 75.13 79.20 60.17 65.00 5.4 8.0
Maximum - - 106.67 112.17 - 5.2 Maximum 90.25 96.50 76.58 82.67 6.9 7.9
Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 1,434.78 1,440.98 - - 0.4 - Carpenter - Formwork Minimum 80.48 86.06 74.05 79.32 6.9 7.1
Maximum 2,241.33 2,246.50 - - 0.2 - Maximum 98.58 104.17 90.58 96.58 5.7 6.6
Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM/month) Minimum 2,005.33 2,010.50 - - 0.3 - Carpenter - Joinery Minimum 90.85 95.32 74.23 78.48 4.9 5.7
Maximum 2,766.50 2,772.33 - - 0.2 - Maximum 107.75 114.17 94.92 100.83 6.0 6.2

Source : CIDB Roofer Minimum 86.06 89.18 68.77 72.17 3.6 4.9
Maximum 107.08 113.33 89.08 95.00 5.8 6.6
In Sarawak, all categories of foreign construction the minimum and maximum daily wages range Steel Structure Fabricator Minimum 93.32 98.63 77.08 81.68 5.7 6.0
workers under skilled and semi-skilled posted a between RM17.30 and RM27.39 for skilled construction Maximum 112.08 118.33 93.21 97.69 5.6 4.8
positive increase in the average daily wages. The daily workers, and between RM16.01 and RM33.07 for semi- General Welder Minimum 88.67 93.50 74.23 78.48 5.5 5.7
wages for skilled and semi-skilled construction workers skilled construction workers. The difference between Maximum 110.92 116.33 94.83 100.17 4.9 5.6
in Sarawak each registered an increase of 6.4% to the monthly minimum and maximum wages were Plumber - Building & Sanitary Minimum 79.00 83.27 62.73 66.97 5.4 6.8
RM179.38 per day (2014: RM168.56 per day), and 7.0% between RM820.75 and RM852.03. Maximum 96.75 102.67 83.42 89.50 6.1 7.3
to RM162.54 per day (2014: RM151.84 per day). Among Plumber - Reticulation Minimum 93.08 98.08 81.38 86.63 5.4 6.5
the 3 regions in Malaysia, Sarawak had the least Skilled general construction worker – building had Maximum 125.47 99.60 104.93 4.9 5.4
119.58
increment of monthly wages for P2 and P4 electrical the highest growth at 9.2% to RM66.17 per day (2014:
Building Wiring Installer Minimum - - 92.10 97.33 - 5.7
wireman after registered an average increase of 0.2% to RM60.58 per day). Under the semi-skilled category,
Maximum - - 116.42 122.50 - 5.2
RM2,236.10 per month (2014: RM2,231.83 per month). plasterer (11.4%), painter – building (10.9%) and
Electrical Wireman PW2 (RM/month) Minimum 1,532.53 1,537.67 - - 0.3 -
bricklayer (10.2%) enjoyed the most increased in
Plumber - reticulation and building wiring installer wages after posting a double-digit growth. For skilled Maximum 2,354.17 2,358.42 - - 0.2 -
were the highest earner for skilled and semi-skilled category, PW2 and PW4 electrical wireman had the Electrical Wireman PW4 (RM/month) Minimum 2,094.73 2,098.14 - - 0.2 -
construction workers each with an average daily wages least wage increase after the monthly wages registered Maximum 2,945.88 2,950.17 - - 0.2 -
of RM125.47 and RM122.50 per day. In contrast, an average increase of 0.2% (Table 3.29). For the semi- Scaffolder - Prefabricated Minimum 74.51 78.78 63.46 67.83 5.7 6.9
general construction worker - building and concretor skilled category, steel structure fabricator had the least Maximum 95.21 100.93 88.25 93.00 6.0 5.4
were the lowest earner for skilled and semi-skilled increase of 4.8% to RM97.69 per day (2014: RM93.21 Scaffolder - Tubular Minimum 77.61 82.00 63.93 68.78 5.7 7.6
category each with an average daily wages of RM48.27 per day). Maximum 98.34 105.13 82.58 88.83 6.9 7.6
and RM58.80 per day. In 2015, the difference between Painter - Building Minimum 70.32 75.07 58.05 64.39 6.8 10.9
Maximum 89.25 95.67 77.25 83.17 7.2 7.7
Table 3.29 Average Wages of Foreign Construction Workers in Sarawak
General Construction Worker - Civil Minimum 57.47 62.55 - - 8.8 -
Skill Level Change (%) Maximum 76.08 82.17 - - 8.0 -
Minimum/
Category of Construction Worker Maximum Skilled (RM/day) Semi-Skilled (RM/day) Semi-
Wage Skilled Source : CIDB
2014 2015 2014 2015 Skilled

General Construction Worker - Building Minimum 44.43 48.27 - - 8.6 -

Maximum 60.58 66.17 - - 9.2 -
RENTAL RATES OF expecting high returns by effectively optimizing the

Concretor Minimum 74.16 77.66 61.83 65.71 4.7 6.3 CONSTRUCTION MACHINERIES usage in completing the construction process and
securing large-scale projects. More projects can be
Maximum 97.25 103.67 79.00 85.00 6.6 7.6 Machineries and equipment are vital components in completed in shorter periods and increase the overall
Bricklayer Minimum 62.67 68.02 53.38 58.80 8.5 10.2 any construction process. Some contractors invest productivity. However, some contractors may opt to
Maximum 84.50 90.50 71.00 76.17 7.1 7.3 heavily in buying own machineries and equipment, rent or hire the machineries, to minimize their costs

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68 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 69
Rental Rates of Construction Machineries Rental Rates of Construction Machineries

and effectively manage their resources. Factors that compressors, pumps, drills, cutters, hammers and Table 3.31 Average Rental Rates of Construction Machineries in Peninsular Malaysia
encourage the rental or hiring of machineries include other equipment used in construction works.
mobility and site location, as well as storage and Types of Rental (RM/unit) Change (%)
Minimum/
Type of Category of
maintenance of the equipment. In terms of mobility, it In Malaysia, most daily and monthly machineries Maximum Daily Monthly
Works Machineries Daily Monthly
Price
is more convenient for contractors to rent machineries rental rates showed an increase in 2015, the highest 2014 2015 2014 2015
from local suppliers near their project sites. Some came from resurfacing equipment for roadwork. 6,614.72 6,560.28 0.6 -0.8
Land Work Excavator Minimum 399.31 401.81
leasing companies offer daily, monthly or short-term Only compactor used for land work recorded lower
Maximum 1,111.11 1,112.50 13,511.11 13,454.17 0.1 -0.4
rentals, which is more efficient for project planning. daily rental rates compared with 2014. In Peninsular
Loader Minimum 395.83 396.11 7,471.11 7,479.45 0.1 0.1
In addition, sale prices are generally very high for any Malaysia, three machineries showed an increase in
Maximum 868.61 868.61 12,377.78 12,377.78 0.0 0.0
machinery and a single project requires many types of both maximum and minimum monthly rental rates
equipment that serve different specific purposes. ranging from 0.1% to 2.3%. The highest increase in Bulldozer Minimum 721.25 737.22 10,095.83 10,108.33 2.2 0.1
rental rate was noted in the maximum daily rental rates Maximum 931.11 932.50 12,141.67 12,147.22 0.1 0.0
Rental rates of machineries were obtained from of crane, which increased from RM1,391.67 per day to Compactor Minimum 572.81 568.00 8,466.50 8,470.83 -0.8 0.1
Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This section RM1,425.00 per day. Maximum 633.54 633.54 9,163.54 9,166.67 0.0 0.0
presents the rental rates for 10 major machineries Grader Minimum 542.50 542.50 8,541.67 8,541.67 0.0 0.0
involved in land work, roadwork, haulage and hoisting; Maximum 642.92 642.92 9,541.67 9,529.17 0.0 -0.1
and purchase price for equipment such as generators, Backhoe Minimum 452.50 455.00 6,766.67 6,829.17 0.5 0.9
Maximum 455.00 455.00 6,837.50 6,845.83 0.0 0.1
Table 3.30 Average Rental Rates of Construction Machineries in Malaysia Roadwork Paving/Resurfacing Minimum 430.42 432.64 6,822.22 6,836.11 0.5 0.2
Types of Rental (RM/unit) Change (%) Equipment Maximum 520.14 529.86 7,908.33 7,908.33 1.8 0.0
Minimum/
Type of Category of Truck and Garbage Truck Minimum 486.25 486.25 8,783.33 8,783.33 0.0 0.0
Maximum Daily Monthly
Works Machineries Daily Monthly
Price Haulage Maximum 690.83 694.17 11,833.34 11,833.34 0.5 0.0
2014 2015 2014 2015
Lorry Minimum 425.00 429.17 8,691.67 8,725.00 1.0 0.4
Land Work Excavator Minimum 433.47 435.42 7,169.72 7,129.35 0.4 -0.6
Maximum 932.50 932.50 16,358.34 16,329.17 0.0 -0.2
Maximum 1,141.66 1,142.13 14,392.59 14,373.61 0.0 -0.1
Hoisting Crane Minimum 837.50 837.50 11,889.58 11,889.58 0.0 0.0
Loader Minimum 430.28 433.33 7,918.15 7,924.63 0.7 0.1
and Lifting Maximum 1,391.67 1,425.00 18,062.63 18,063.63 2.3 0.0
Maximum 899.16 899.17 13,107.41 13,107.41 0.0 0.0
Bulldozer Minimum 734.50 740.93 10,567.13 10,578.70 0.9 0.1 Source : CIDB
Maximum 951.66 952.13 12,647.22 12,656.48 0.0 0.1
Compactor Minimum 598.16 597.94 8,374.94 8,391.67 0.0 0.2 In Sabah and Sarawak, most of the rental rates of rental rate was most notable in the backhoe category
Maximum 649.93 649.93 9,010.07 9,023.61 0.0 0.2 machineries used in construction projects did not in Sabah, where the daily rental rate increased from
Grader Minimum 550.83 550.83 8,558.33 8,558.33 0.0 0.0 experience any significant change in 2015. In fact, RM450.00 to RM460.00 daily. While in Sarawak, daily
Maximum 630.97 630.97 9,791.67 9,787.50 0.0 0.0 most machineries reported the same daily and monthly and monthly rental rates increased across all types of
6,944.45 7,031.95 0.9 1.2
rental rates as in the previous year. An increase in paving/resurfacing equipment.
Backhoe Minimum 445.28 449.44
Maximum 449.44 449.44 7,012.50 7,037.50 0.0 0.4
6,851.85 6,978.71 2.5 1.8
Table 3.32 Average Rental Rates of Construction Machineries in Sabah
Roadwork Paving/Resurfacing Minimum 463.47 475.32
Equipment Maximum 558.57 561.81 8,030.56 7,899.07 0.6 -1.7 Types of Rental (RM/unit) Change (%)
Minimum/
Truck and Garbage Truck Minimum 509.86 509.86 9,027.78 9,027.78 0.0 0.0 Type of Category of Maximum Daily Monthly
Works Machineries Daily Monthly
Haulage Maximum 713.61 714.72 11,750.00 11,750.00 0.2 0.0 Price
2014 2015 2014 2015
Lorry Minimum 413.89 415.28 8,530.56 8,541.67 0.3 0.1
Land Work Excavator Minimum 473.33 476.67 7,627.78 7,627.78 0.7 0.0
Maximum 983.06 983.06 17,108.33 17,098.61 0.0 -0.1
Maximum 1,219.44 1,219.44 15,122.22 15,122.22 0.0 0.0
Hoisting Crane Minimum 915.28 915.28 12,546.53 12,546.53 0.0 0.0
Loader Minimum 466.11 469.44 8,327.78 8,338.89 0.7 0.1
and Lifting Maximum 1,566.67 1,577.78 19,465.32 19,465.66 0.7 0.0
Maximum 957.22 957.22 13,777.78 13,777.78 0.0 0.0
Source : CIDB Bulldozer Minimum 756.67 760.00 11,177.78 11,200.00 0.4 0.2
Maximum 973.33 973.33 13,055.56 13,055.56 0.0 0.0
Compactor Minimum 631.67 635.83 8,208.33 8,233.33 0.7 0.3
Maximum 681.25 681.25 8,695.83 8,712.50 0.0 0.2

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70 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 71
Rental Rates of Construction Machineries Prices of Construction Machineries

Types of Rental (RM/unit) Change (%) PRICES OF CONSTRUCTION pump and super drill. Only eight construction

Type of Category of Minimum/

Maximum Daily Monthly
EQUIPMENT equipment experienced an increase of prices in both
the minimum and maximum section (concrete mixer
Works Machineries Daily Monthly
Price – mini; vibrator pokers; blade cutters; rotary hammer
2014 2015 2014 2015 The prices of construction equipment in Malaysia drill; hammer drill; diamond core drill; wheel cutter;
Grader Minimum 550.00 550.00 8,633.33 8,633.33 0.0 0.0 were summarised into seven categories based on the rebar cutter/ bender). The only drop in both section of
prices and location from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah minimum and maximum prices came from bar cutter
Maximum 650.00 650.00 10,333.33 10,333.33 0.0 0.0
and Sarawak. Collectively, the prices of construction which falls by 0.5% at each section. Diesel generator
Backhoe Minimum 450.00 460.00 7,000.00 7,066.67 2.2 0.9
equipment had relatively small changes in the set and water pump had a decrease in the maximum
Maximum 460.00 460.00 7,066.67 7,066.67 0.0 0.0
three regions. In Malaysia, the price of construction section, while the rest of the categories show an
Roadwork Paving/Resurfacing Minimum 497.22 497.22 7,044.45 7,044.45 0.0 0.0 equipment remained unchanged in 2015 for power increase in either one of the minimum or maximum
Equipment Maximum 588.89 588.89 8,216.67 7,822.22 0.0 -5.0 trowels, gasoline generator sets, gasoline (petrol) section.
Truck and Garbage Truck Minimum 533.33 533.33 9,183.33 9,183.33 0.0 0.0 generators set, industrial pump, construction water
Haulage Maximum 750.00 750.00 11,633.33 11,633.33 0.0 0.0
Lorry Minimum 400.00 400.00 8,533.33 8,533.33 0.0 0.0
Table 3.34 Average Price of Construction Equipment in Malaysia
Maximum 1,066.67 1,066.67 17,533.33 17,533.33 0.0 0.0
Hoisting Crane Minimum 1,091.67 1,091.67 14,083.34 14,083.34 0.0 0.0 Malaysia
and Lifting Maximum 1,600.00 1,600.00 19,916.67 19,916.67 0.0 0.0 Minimum/ Purchase Price Change
Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit)
Source : CIDB Price (%)
2014 2015

Table 3.33 Average Rental Rates of Construction Machineries in Sarawak Concrete Works & Concrete Mixer - Mini Minimum 1,429.17 1,436.11 0.5
Plastering Maximum 1,519.44 1,534.69 1.0
Types of Rental (RM/unit) Change (%)
Minimum/ Concrete Mixer - Manual Minimum 4,141.67 4,144.44 0.1
Type of Category of Maximum Daily Monthly
Works Machineries Daily Monthly Maximum 4,640.00 4,617.78 -0.5
Price
2014 2015 2014 2015
Power Trowel Minimum 1,585.00 1,585.00 0.0
Land Work Excavator Minimum 427.78 427.78 7,266.67 7,200.00 0.0 -0.9 Maximum 1,585.00 1,585.00 0.0
Maximum 1,094.44 1,094.44 14,544.44 14,544.44 0.0 0.0 Concrete Vibrator Minimum 1,230.97 1,231.53 0.0
Loader Minimum 428.89 434.45 7,955.55 7,955.55 1.3 0.0 Maximum 1,694.45 1,701.39 0.4
Maximum 871.66 871.67 13,166.67 13,166.67 0.0 0.0 Concrete Cutter Minimum 1,029.86 1,031.25 0.1
Bulldozer Minimum 725.57 725.56 10,427.78 10,427.78 0.0 0.0 Maximum 1,080.28 1,080.28 0.0
Maximum 950.55 950.55 12,744.44 12,766.67 0.0 0.2 Vibratory Plate Minimum 642.78 649.86 1.1
Compactor Minimum 590.00 590.00 8,450.00 8,470.84 0.0 0.2 Compactor Maximum 836.53 836.53 0.0
Maximum 635.00 635.00 9,170.83 9,191.67 0.0 0.2 Vibrator Poker Minimum 163.89 167.92 2.5
Grader Minimum 560.00 560.00 8,500.00 8,500.00 0.0 0.0 Maximum 165.55 167.92 1.4
Maximum 600.00 600.00 9,500.00 9,500.00 0.0 0.0 Blade Cutter Minimum 626.11 628.33 0.4
Backhoe Minimum 433.33 433.33 7,066.67 7,200.00 0.0 1.9 Maximum 627.22 628.33 0.2
Maximum 433.33 433.33 7,133.33 7,200.00 0.0 0.9 Generator Fuel Generator Set Minimum 763.06 768.61 0.7
Roadwork Paving/Resurfacing Minimum 462.78 496.11 6,688.89 7,055.56 6.7 5.2 Maximum 6,641.11 6,642.50 0.0
Equipment Maximum 566.67 566.67 7,966.67 7,966.67 0.0 0.0 Diesel Generator Set Minimum 3,918.05 3,920.83 0.1
Truck and Garbage Truck Minimum 510.00 510.00 9,116.67 9,116.67 0.0 0.0 Maximum 202,452.78 201,047.22 -0.7
Haulage Maximum 700.00 700.00 11,783.33 11,783.33 0.0 0.0 Gasoline Generator Set Minimum 1,615.56 1,615.56 0.0
Lorry Minimum 416.67 416.67 8,366.67 8,366.67 0.0 0.0 Maximum 4,084.81 4,084.58 0.0
Maximum 950.00 950.00 17,433.33 17,433.33 0.0 0.0 Gasoline (Petrol) Generator Set Minimum 1,375.97 1,375.97 0.0
Hoisting Crane Minimum 816.67 816.67 11,666.67 11,666.67 0.0 0.0 Maximum 3,388.61 3,388.61 0.0
and Lifting Maximum 1,708.34 1,708.34 20,416.67 20,416.67 0.0 0.0 Compressor Reciprocating Piston Minimum 1,357.22 1,360.00 0.2
Maximum 14,963.89 14,959.72 0.0
Source : CIDB

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72 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 73
Prices of Construction Equipment Prices of Construction Equipment

Malaysia Table 3.35 Average Price of Construction Equipment in Peninsular Malaysia

Minimum/ Purchase Price Change Peninsular Malaysia
Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit)
Price (%) Minimum/ Purchase Price Change
Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit)
2014 2015 Price (%)
Oil Flooded Compressor Minimum 3,426.39 3,434.72 0.2 2014 2015
Maximum 4,823.47 4,827.64 0.1 Concrete Works & Concrete Mixer - Mini Minimum 1,420.84 1,425.00 0.3
Pump Water Pump Minimum 620.14 621.80 0.3 Plastering Maximum 1,525.00 1,537.42 0.8
Maximum 1,168.11 1,166.72 -0.1 Concrete Mixer - Manual Minimum 4,166.67 4,175.00 0.2
Industrial Pump Minimum 269.31 271.50 0.8 Maximum 4,415.00 4,415.00 0.0
Maximum 2,411.11 2,411.11 0.0 Power Trowel Minimum 1,550.00 1,550.00 0.0
Construction Water Pump Minimum 938.67 938.67 0.0 Maximum 1,550.00 1,550.00 0.0
Maximum 2,111.67 2,117.22 0.3 Concrete Vibrator Minimum 1,132.92 1,134.58 0.1
Drill Rotary Hammer Drill Minimum 623.75 623.75 0.0 Maximum 1,598.34 1,602.50 0.3
Maximum 718.61 713.61 -0.7 Concrete Cutter Minimum 1,061.25 1,065.42 0.4
Hammer Drill Minimum 791.25 795.39 0.5 Maximum 1,145.84 1,145.84 0.0
Maximum 2,959.89 2,971.00 0.4 Vibratory Plate Minimum 651.67 662.92 1.7
Demolition Drill Minimum 1,622.22 1,622.22 0.0 Compactor Maximum 804.58 804.58 0.0
Maximum 2,196.67 2,199.45 0.1 Vibrator Poker Minimum 148.33 150.42 1.4
0.2 Maximum 148.33 150.42 1.4
Impact Drill Minimum 309.72 310.28
Blade Cutter Minimum 606.67 613.33 1.1
Maximum 1,490.97 1,490.97 0.0
Maximum 610.00 613.33 0.5
Angle Drill Minimum 1,154.17 1,156.95 0.2
Generator Fuel Generator Set Minimum 715.83 715.83 0.0
Maximum 1,156.95 1,156.95 0.0
Maximum 6,618.33 6,622.50 0.1
Diamond Core Drill Minimum 1,561.11 1,568.06 0.4
Diesel Generator Set Minimum 3,712.50 3,720.84 0.2
Maximum 1,566.67 1,568.06 0.1
Maximum 196,225.00 194,975.00 -0.6
Super Drill Minimum 1,088.34 1,088.34 0.0
Gasoline Generator Set Minimum 1,526.67 1,526.67 0.0
Maximum 1,088.34 1,088.34 0.0
Maximum 3,888.75 3,888.75 0.0
Cutter Metal Cutter Minimum 2,122.92 2,122.92 0.0
Gasoline (Petrol) Generator Set Minimum 1,321.25 1,321.25 0.0
Maximum 2,359.58 2,381.94 0.9 Maximum 3,310.84 3,310.84 0.0
Wheel Cutter Minimum 331.39 333.33 0.6 Compressor Reciprocating Piston Minimum 1,316.67 1,325.00 0.6
Maximum 389.47 393.47 1.0 Maximum 15,041.67 15,195.83 1.0
Bar Cutter Minimum 4,768.06 4,759.72 -0.2 Oil Flooded Compressor Minimum 3,229.17 3,254.17 0.8
Maximum 4,768.06 4,759.72 -0.2 Maximum 4,625.42 4,637.92 0.3
Rebar Cutter/Bender Minimum 5,779.17 5,784.72 0.1 Pump Water Pump Minimum 547.08 547.08 0.0
Maximum 5,779.17 5,784.72 0.1 Maximum 1,093.33 1,089.17 -0.4
Hammer Rotary Hammer Minimum 496.11 497.22 0.2 Industrial Pump Minimum 242.92 242.82 0.0
Maximum 3,590.14 3,590.14 0.0 Maximum 2,300.00 2,300.00 0.0
Demolition Hammer Minimum 878.89 881.66 0.3 Construction Water Pump Minimum 886.67 886.67 0.0
Maximum 2,415.34 2,418.11 0.1 Maximum 1,966.67 1,966.67 0.0
Drill Rotary Hammer Drill Minimum 601.25 601.25 0.0
Source : CIDB
Maximum 693.33 657.50 -5.2
Hammer Drill Minimum 732.08 744.17 1.7
Maximum 2,796.34 2,796.34 0.0
Demolition Drill Minimum 1,543.33 1,543.33 0.0
Maximum 2,108.33 2,116.67 0.4

Source : CIDB

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74 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 75
Prices of Construction Equipment Prices of Construction Equipment

Table 3.36 Average Price of Construction Equipment in Sabah Sabah

Sabah Minimum/ Purchase Price Change
Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit)
Minimum/ Price (%)
Purchase Price Change
Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit) 2014 2015
Price (%)
2014 2015 Impact Drill Minimum 277.50 350.00 0.0

1,490.00 0.0 Maximum 1,469.58 1,563.33 0.0

Concrete Works & Concrete Mixer - Mini Minimum 1,420.84
1,533.33 2.2 Angle Drill Minimum 1,095.84 1,250.00 0.0
Plastering Maximum 1,525.00
4,233.33 0.0 Maximum 1,104.17 1,250.00 0.0
Concrete Mixer - Manual Minimum 4,166.67
4,800.00 -1.4 Diamond Core Drill Minimum 1,466.67 1,666.67 0.0
Maximum 4,415.00
1,600.00 0.0 Maximum 1,466.67 1,666.67 0.0
Power Trowel Minimum 1,550.00
1,600.00 0.0 Super Drill Minimum 926.67 1,326.67 0.0
Maximum 1,550.00
1,345.00 0.0 Maximum 926.67 1,326.67 0.0
Concrete Vibrator Minimum 1,132.92
1,733.33 0.0 Cutter Metal Cutter Minimum 2,085.42 2,211.67 0.0
Maximum 1,598.34
1,066.67 0.0 Maximum 2,268.75 2,525.00 1.3
Concrete Cutter Minimum 1,061.25
1,108.33 0.0 Wheel Cutter Minimum 292.50 360.00 0.0
Maximum 1,145.84
670.00 1.5 Maximum 333.42 460.00 2.2
Vibratory Plate Minimum 651.67
851.67 0.0 Bar Cutter Minimum 4,754.17 4,850.00 0.0
Compactor Maximum 804.58
195.00 2.6 Maximum 4,754.17 4,850.00 0.0
Vibrator Poker Minimum 148.33
195.00 2.6 Rebar Cutter/Bender Minimum 5,454.17 6,166.67 0.0
Maximum 148.33
655.00 0.0 Maximum 5,454.17 6,166.67 0.0
Blade Cutter Minimum 606.67
655.00 0.0 Hammer Rotary Hammer Minimum 440.00 571.67 0.0
Maximum 610.00
833.33 2.0 Maximum 3,505.42 3,598.33 0.0
Generator Fuel Generator Set Minimum 715.83
6,650.00 0.0 Demolition Hammer Minimum 768.33 968.33 0.9
Maximum 6,618.33
4,033.33 0.0 Maximum 2,278.34 2,517.67 0.0
Diesel Generator Set Minimum 3,712.50
Maximum 196,225.00 200,833.33 -1.1 Source : CIDB
Gasoline Generator Set Minimum 1,526.67 1,716.67 0.0
Maximum 3,888.75 4,160.00 0.0
Gasoline (Petrol) Generator Set Minimum 1,321.25 1,450.00 0.0 Table 3.37 Average Price of Construction Equipment in Sarawak
Maximum 3,310.84 3,533.33 0.0
Sarawak
Compressor Reciprocating Piston Minimum 1,316.67 1,450.00 0.0
Minimum/ Purchase Price Change
Maximum 15,041.67 15,833.33 -1.0 Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit) (%)
Oil Flooded Compressor Minimum 3,229.17 3,666.67 0.0 Price
5,050.00 0.0 2014 2015
Maximum 4,625.42
Pump Water Pump Minimum 547.08 673.33 0.7 Concrete Works & Concrete Mixer - Mini Minimum 1,376.67 1,393.33 1.2
Maximum 1,093.33 1,219.33 0.0 Plastering Maximum 1,533.33 1,533.33 0.0
Industrial Pump Minimum 242.92 306.67 2.2 Concrete Mixer - Manual Minimum 4,025.00 4,025.00 0.0
Maximum 2,300.00 2,583.33 0.0 Maximum 4,638.33 4,638.33 0.0
Construction Water Pump Minimum 886.67 979.33 0.0 Power Trowel Minimum 1,605.00 1,605.00 0.0
Maximum 1,966.67 2,316.67 0.7 Maximum 1,605.00 1,605.00 0.0
Drill Rotary Hammer Drill Minimum 601.25 650.00 0.0 Concrete Vibrator Minimum 1,215.00 1,215.00 0.0
Maximum 2,099.00 763.33 0.0 Maximum 1,751.67 1,768.33 1.0
Hammer Drill Minimum 732.08 825.33 0.0 Concrete Cutter Minimum 961.67 961.67 0.0
Maximum 2,796.34 3,183.33 1.1 Maximum 986.67 986.67 0.0
Demolition Drill Minimum 1,543.33 1,671.67 0.0 Vibratory Plate Minimum 616.67 616.67 0.0
Maximum 2,108.33 2,200.00 0.0 Compactor Maximum 853.33 853.33 0.0

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76 CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES CHAPTER 3 PRICES, WAGES AND RENTAL RATES 77
Prices of Construction Equipment Prices of Construction Equipment

Sarawak Sarawak
Minimum/ Purchase Price Change Minimum/ Purchase Price Change
Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit)
Category of Equipment Types of Equipment Maximum (RM/unit)
Price (%) Price (%)
2014 2015 2014 2015
Vibrator Poker Minimum 153.33 158.33 3.3 Bar Cutter Minimum 4,700.00 4,700.00 0.0
Maximum 158.33 158.33 0.0 Maximum 4,700.00 4,700.00 0.0
Blade Cutter Minimum 616.67 616.67 0.0 Rebar Cutter/Bender Minimum 5,716.67 5,716.67 0.0
Maximum 616.67 616.67 0.0 Maximum 5,716.67 5,716.67 0.0
Generator Fuel Generator Set Minimum 756.67 756.67 0.0 Hammer Rotary Hammer Minimum 476.67 476.67 0.0
Maximum 6,655.00 6,655.00 0.0 Maximum 3,666.67 3,666.67 0.0
Diesel Generator Set Minimum 4,008.33 4,008.33 0.0 Demolition Hammer Minimum 908.33 908.33 0.0
Maximum 207,966.67 207,333.33 -0.3 Maximum 2,450.00 2,450.00 0.0
Gasoline Generator Set Minimum 1,603.33 1,603.33 0.0
Source : CIDB
Maximum 4,205.00 4,205.00 0.0
Gasoline (Petrol) Generator Set Minimum 1,356.67 1,356.67 0.0
Maximum 3,321.67 3,321.67 0.0
Compressor Reciprocating Piston Minimum 1,305.00 1,305.00 0.0
Maximum 13,850.00 13,850.00 0.0
Oil Flooded Compressor Minimum 3,383.33 3,383.33 0.0
Maximum 4,795.00 4,795.00 0.0
Pump Water Pump Minimum 645.00 645.00 0.0
Maximum 1,191.67 1,191.67 0.0
Industrial Pump Minimum 265.00 265.00 0.0
Maximum 2,350.00 2,350.00 0.0
Construction Water Pump Minimum 950.00 950.00 0.0
Maximum 2,068.33 2,068.33 0.0
Drill Rotary Hammer Drill Minimum 620.00 620.00 0.0
Maximum 720.00 720.00 0.0
Hammer Drill Minimum 816.67 816.67 0.0
Maximum 2,933.33 2,933.33 0.0
Demolition Drill Minimum 1,651.67 1,651.67 0.0
Maximum 2,281.67 2,281.67 0.0
Impact Drill Minimum 301.67 301.67 0.0
Maximum 1,440.00 1,440.00 0.0
Angle Drill Minimum 1,116.67 1,116.67 0.0
Maximum 1,116.67 1,116.67 0.0
Diamond Core Drill Minimum 1,550.00 1,566.67 1.1
Maximum 1,566.67 1,566.67 0.0
Super Drill Minimum 1,011.67 1,011.67 0.0
Maximum 1,011.67 1,011.67 0.0
Cutter Metal Cutter Minimum 2,071.67 2,071.67 0.0
Maximum 2,316.67 2,350.00 1.4
Wheel Cutter Minimum 341.67 341.67 0.0
Maximum 385.00 385.00 0.0

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REVIEW AND PROSPECT 2015/2016