Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 2

2.0 PROBLEM SATEMENT ....................................................................................... 3

3.0 RESEARCH QUESTION ...................................................................................... 3

4.0 RESEARCH AIM .................................................................................................. 3

5.0 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES .................................................................................. 3

6.0 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................. 4

6.1 SCOPE OF RESEARCH................................................................................... 4

6.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 4

7.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................ 5

8.0 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 7

9.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 8

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BARRIERS IN IMPLEMENTING GREEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN MALAYSIA

Keywords: Barriers, green construction, sustainability, Malaysia

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Construction is one of the sector that contributes the most in Malaysia economy. It is known
that Malaysia’s construction industry is one of the fastest growing construction industry in the
world(Shari and Soebarto, 2012). Because of this, with we realising it or not the industry is
contributing a huge effect on the environment and social in this country (Shari and Soebarto,
2012).

As we already know, construction uses a huge amount of resources while at the same
time emitting unwanted product to the environment (Leung and Chau, 2013). Construction
releases carbon dioxide which is one of the main reason for global warming(Samari et al.,
2015). Because of that, constructing buildings that have an improved energy efficiency is one
of the cost efficient way to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (Sood, Dr. Chua and Dr.
Yow Peng, 2015). This type of construction is known as green construction or sustainable
construction. Green construction is a construction that provides positive impact rather than
negative impact towards the environment whether from its design, construction or operation
(WGBC). Not to forget that one of the most important reasons for Green Building is to ensure
the future generation to be able to enjoy similar benefits with today generation(Algburi and
Faieza, 2016).

As for Malaysia, this country started its framework on sustainable environmental when
National Energy Policy 1979, National Depletion Policy 1980, Four Fuel Diversification Policy
1981and Fifth Fuel Policy 2000 were formed (Chua and Oh, 2011). However, to implement
the green and sustainable construction is no easy task as there are barriers to it. Implementing
the green building construction is no easy task and all parties whether government or non-
government need to work it accept the green concept to make it work(Mohd Reza et al., 2011).
That is why investigation on these barriers are important as this will help in overcoming them
(Samari, Mirhosseini, Esmaeilifar and Mohd Wira, 2015).

With this research it is hoped that we could find out the barriers and find the way of
overcoming them. It is because at the very least, with the implementation of green
building/construction we could at least reduce the harm that caused by conventional
construction (Chua and Oh, 2011)

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2.0 PROBLEM SATEMENT
Green construction or some would call it sustainable construction could bring many benefits
to the people from many perspectives such as social, economic and environmental (Samari
et al., 2015). Because of this, the country should be thriving to implement green construction.
But, as today there still barriers in implementing green construction in our country (Samari et
al., 2013).

When we talk about barriers, there are a lot of barriers that could actually impending
the implementation of green construction. However, to tackle this issue, we must analysed
which barriers that actually the most common in our country as not all the barriers would be
affecting the same part (Shari and Soebarto, 2012). Because of that, we need to identify the
common barriers in our country.

But still, even though the barriers is common, not all have the same impact as some
would have larger impact than others(Shari and Soebarto, 2012). Thus, with this reason it is
important to analysed which barrier is the major barrier in implementing the green construction.

What is the use of knowing about the barrier if no action is taken? Actually, the
government have taken some effective actions to overcome these barriers (Samari et al.,
2013). But still, not all are expose to this information thus we will find out what action that have
been taken to overcome these barriers(Mohd Nordin, Halim and Yunus, 2017).

3.0 RESEARCH QUESTION

I. What is the common barriers in implementing green building construction in
Malaysia?
II. What is the biggest barrier in implementing green building construction?
III. What action have been taken to overcome these barriers?

4.0 RESEARCH AIM

To identify the barriers in implementing green construction.

5.0 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

I. To identify the common barriers that preventing the implementation of green
construction in Malaysia.
II. To identify which barrier is the biggest barrier in implementing green building
construction.
III. To identify the action taken to overcome the barriers.

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6.0 METHODOLOGY
6.1 SCOPE OF RESEARCH
This research is conducted to identify the barriers in implementing green construction in
Malaysia. It is to help us find out what actually holding back our country from fully implementing
the green construction while find out. We will also see the actions taken by the government to
tackle these barriers.

For the subject of collecting data, it will be done in Perak. The reasons why I choose
Perak is because the state is considered in a developing state. Because of that the data
collection will be much easier to collect. The data will be collected among the contractors in
the area.

Besides that, the data will also be collected from past researches and articles. The
data will be taken back from 2010 to 2019 to ensure that the data is still relevant.

6.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research focused on using qualitative approach. For data collection, questionnaire is
used. The questionnaire will be distributed among contractors to gather the information
needed. The sampling method used will probably be random sampling method. The
questionnaire will be constructed to answer the research objective particularly.

Besides that, another sources of data are collected by using the information gathered from
past researches and articles. This is to further the findings concerning the subject of this
research.

After all the data are gathered, the data analysis will commence. The data analysis will be
calculated using the suitable method to the type of data gathered.

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 Prepare the RO, RQ, Build the Pick the population
aim and problem questionnaire based on and the sample for the
statements for the the objectives of the research
research research.

Distribute the
Presentation of data Data analysis
questionnaire

Recommendation Conclusion

Figure 1

7.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

It is known that Malaysia’s construction industry is one of the fastest growing construction
industry in the world(Shari and Soebarto, 2012). With we realising it or not the industry is
contributing a huge effect on the environment and social in this country(Shari and Soebarto,
2012). The concern involving our environmental issues and problems resulted in the existence
of Green Building(Mohd Reza et al., 2011). Green construction is a construction that provides
positive impact rather than negative impact towards the environment whether from its design,
construction or operation(WGBC, 2018). As we already know, construction uses a huge
amount of resources while at the same time emitting unwanted product to the
environment(Leung and Chau, 2013). Construction releases carbon dioxide which is one of
the main reason for global warming(Samari et al., 2015). Because of that, constructing
buildings that have an improved energy efficiency is one of the cost efficient way to reduce
the emission of carbon dioxide(Sood, Dr. Chua and Dr. Yow Peng, 2015). However, Green
Building is not totally implemented in our country as it face many types of barriers(Mohd Reza
et al., 2011; Samari et al., 2013, 2015). From this we can see that Green Building construction
is important in maintaining our environment however due to barriers, the implementation of it
is slow in our country.

It has been sometimes since Malaysia involved itself with Green Building construction.
However, our country is still considered left behind compared to some other Asian
countries(Mohd Reza et al., 2011). We need to realise that Malaysia population is increasing

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thus the development is growing together with it especially housing. Because of this, the new
development may resulted in more environmental problems(Mohd Nordin, Halim and Yunus,
2017). However, the impact of building and construction is often neglected(Samari et al.,
2013). Until today, professionals still argue what is the best way to promote Green Building in
our country(Samari et al., 2013).

The aim of this research is mainly to identify the barriers in implementing Green
Building construction in Malaysia(Mohd Reza et al., 2011; Shari and Soebarto, 2012; Mohd
Nordin, Halim and Yunus, 2017). It is also to find ways to dispose and find solutions to these
barriers(Samari et al., 2013, 2015). Besides that, it is hoped that with this research, Green
Building construction can be promoted and making it be known widely(Samari et al., 2013,
2015). With this, it is hoped that we can attract more construction parties to implement and
adapt Green Building construction in their projects(Samari et al., 2015).

Esa (2011) stated that the main barriers in implementing Green Building in Malaysia is
to create awareness among Malaysians concerning environmental issues involving
constructions. This is supported by Samari (2013) and Mohd Nordin (2017) where they stated
that the awareness among the publics concerning green issues are low thus need to be
addressed. In these research, it is found out that most construction parties avoid using green
building construction which resulted in low numbers of green buildings(Samari et al., 2015).
Because of this, there will be restrains being put on our natural resources which is a bad thing.
One of the reason why these parties refused to implement green building is because they are
profit oriented. Environmental issues are least in their concern.

Not just that, another issues that seemed to be huge is concerning the initial cost. It is
found out that the reasons for this is due to the import of new technologies(Shari and Soebarto,
2012). The same thing stated by Samari (2013), where he said that one of the biggest barriers
in implementing green building green building construction is high initial cost due to new
technology, design and construction method. Besides that, another barrier to implementing
Green Building is because of there is low in demand for this type of building(Shari and
Soebarto, 2012; Mohd Nordin, Halim and Yunus, 2017).

Not to mention about the low investment from the government and private sectors in
this type of constructions(Mohd Reza et al., 2011). We need to realise that the Government
play a huge role in disposing the barriers in implementing Green Building(Samari et al., 2013).
Thus, because of this the government and even the private sectors should work together in
achieving the goal of implementing Green Building in our country.

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8.0 CONCLUSION
With this, it is found out that the Government is one of the most important key player
in imposing Green Building construction in this country(Samari et al., 2013). It is also important
to note that the mentality and awareness of Malaysians concerning Green Building need to be
put up a notch or the goal of Green Building in Malaysia could be proved as a quite difficult
feat(Mohd Reza et al., 2011). It is hoped that Malaysia will move forward and carry out more
effective ways in resolving these issues. In this era, green building construction is proven to
be an important element in ensuring the sustainability of our surroundings and resources.

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9.0 REFERENCES

Algburi, S. M. and Faieza, A. A. (2016) ‘Review of green building index in Malaysia; existing
work and challenges’, International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 11(5), pp. 3160–
3167.

Chua, S. C. and Oh, T. H. (2011) ‘Green progress and prospect in Malaysia’, Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews. Elsevier Ltd, 15(6), pp. 2850–2861. doi:
10.1016/j.rser.2011.03.008.

Leung, T. M. and Chau, C. K. (2013) ‘A Review on Barriers, Policies and Governance for
Green Buildings and Sustainable Properties’, Urban Density & Sustainability, (September),
pp. 1–8.

Mohd Nordin, R., Halim, A. H. A. and Yunus, J. (2017) ‘Challenges in the Implementation of
Green Home Development in Malaysia: Perspective of Developers’, in IOP Conference
Series: Materials Science and Engineering, pp. 6–12. doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/291/1/012020.

Mohd Reza, E. et al. (2011) ‘Obstacles in Implementing Green Building Projects in Malaysia’,
Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(12), pp. 1806–1812. Available at:
http://www.insipub.com/ajbas/2011/December-2011/1806-1812.pdf.

Samari, M. et al. (2013) ‘The investigation of the barriers in developing green building in
Malaysia’, Modern Applied Science, 7(2), pp. 1–10. doi: 10.5539/mas.v7n2p1.

Samari, M. et al. (2015) ‘Market Barriers to Implementing Sustainable Building in Malaysia’,

9(April), pp. 135–138.

Shari, Z. and Soebarto, V. . (2012) ‘Delivering Sustainable Building Strategies in Malaysia :

Stakeholders ’ Barriers and Aspirations’, Alam Cipta, 5(2), pp. 3–11.

Sood, S. M., Dr. Chua, K. H. and Dr. Yow Peng, L. (2015) ‘Sustainable Development in the
Building Sector: Green Building Framework in Malaysia | Chua kek heng - Academia.edu’,
(March). Available at:
http://www.academia.edu/3144227/Sustainable_Development_in_the_Building_Sector_Gree
n_Building_Framework_in_Malaysia.

What is green building? | World Green Building Council (no date). Available at:
https://www.worldgbc.org/what-green-building (Accessed: 8 April 2019).

What is green building World Green Building Council (2018). Available at:
https://www.worldgbc.org/what-green-building (Accessed: 14 April 2019).

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