GREEN BUILDING CONCEPT FOR FUTURE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Future government buildings in the country
will incorporate the green building concept in their design said Works Minister
Shaziman Abu Mansor.

The changes are aimed at reducing maintenance cost, increasing the
efficiency of resource use and reduce global warming.

To achieve the objective, the Public Works Department and the Malaysian
Institute of Architects (MIA) have been told to come out with a building design
that will be easy to maintain, cheap to build and increase the efficiency of
resources.

"Since the maintenance cost of buildings are very high, the construction of
green buildings will help reduce operating cost.

"For example, effective window placement (day lighting) can provide more
natural light and lessen the need for electric lighting during the day," he told
reporters after launching the Green Building Index Malaysia (GBI) at the Kuala
Lumpur Convention Centre here Thursday.

Shaziman said the government was serious in preserving the environment and
showed its commitment by setting up the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and
Water, to ensure that the future generation enjoy a clean and healthy lifestyle.

He added that the GBI was developed by MIA and the Association of Consulting
Engineers Malaysia, to promote sustainability in the built environment and raise
awareness among developers, architects, engineers, planners, designers,
contractors and the public, about environmental issues.

He said the GBI is an important green rating tool to assist all those
involved in the property and construction sector to become more environmental
friendly.

The rating will be reviewed every three years to ensure that the building is
well maintained and operated in accordance to the way it was designed.
-- BERNAMA