KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Malaysia aims to deliver 500,000 affordable homes by 2030 and one million by 2035 through the adoption and development of advanced modular construction technology, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said technology must help the country build homes more efficiently and affordably without compromising safety, quality and liveability.

“For example, the 13th Malaysia Plan. We set up a target of delivering 500,000 affordable homes by 2030. It’s part of our wider national aspiration for 1 million homes between 2036 and  2035.

“Now technology must help us deliver these homes more efficiently, without compromising forsafety, quality and liveability,” he said when officiating the International Construction Week and BuildXPO Malaysia 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here.

He said he was encouraged by the collaboration between the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and the private sector to advance modular construction in Malaysia, including the exploration of three-dimensional concrete printing technology.

He said such initiatives were important in helping Malaysia move beyond adopting foreign technology towards building its own technological capabilities.

Anwar said Malaysia’s construction industry must move beyond merely adopting imported technology and instead develop its own capabilities in the production, commercialisation and eventual export of construction technologies.

He said the transformation must also benefit ordinary Malaysians, particularly through more affordable housing, rather than allowing the country’s development to become disconnected from the needs of the wider population.

He warned that urban development which prioritises large-scale projects without adequately considering social needs, environmental quality and public welfare could fuel resentment among communities.

“Our focus is on development, which is correct. Our focus is on growth and construction, which is ethical. But when we lack our understanding of societal needs, we will only invite resentment,” he said.

Anwar also stressed the importance of maintaining competitive tender processes and good governance, saying greater transparency could help the government reduce unnecessary costs and channel more resources towards development.

Anwar also called for local contractors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to be given access to the knowledge, training, technology and business opportunities needed to participate in the evolving construction ecosystem.

He said the future construction workforce would require new skills in digital design, automation, advanced manufacturing, robotics and technology-enabled construction processes.

He added that collaboration between the government, industry players and technology partners must translate into practical outcomes through technology transfer, skills development and stronger local industrial capabilities.