Crest Builder aims to play with the big boys in construction and property

While not the biggest player on the block, construction and property concern Crest Builder Holdings Bhd is looking to stand with the big boys. With two major projects in the pipeline, namely the redevelopment of the Dang Wangi station and the Malaysian Rubber Board land in Ampang with a combined GDV of RM2.3 billion, the company is poised to break into the big time. However, given the close political affiliation of one of its partners, will this prove a hindrance or a help when the General Election finally rolls around?

Eric Yong the ED for Crest Builders on the Breakfast Grille talks about:

- The company's latest earnings where net profit halved year-on-year due to rising construction costs. Eric talks about how labour remains the biggest concern in terms of costs, and how Crest Builder is planning to mitigate it. 

- He also talks about bidding for between RM200 million to RM400 million worth of construction jobs for the coming year. One of the most hotly contested is the RM3.7 billion Langat Water Treatment 2 plant, the tender of which is under the evaluation. While Langat 2 remains a hot button topic between the Selangor state and Federal government, Eric is confident that the project will go through. 

- He also addresses the close political affiliation of Crest Builders partners Detik Utuh and Tindakan Juara, where the major shareholder for both is BN-MP for Pasir Salak Datuk Tajuddin Abd Rahman. Eric says that Rahman brings experience, despite Detik Utuh being loss making. Detik Utuh and Tindakan Juara are Crest Builders partners for the Dang Wangi Development and the Malaysian Rubber Board land respectively. 

- Eric also gives an update on the progress of both mega projects.