Malaysia launches new CIDB construction personnel registration card to strengthen digitalization

Malaysia’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has launched a new construction personnel registration card to strengthen digitalization. CIDB said in a statement on last Thursday that the card is a multifunctional digital identity card and wage payment card designed to enhance workforce management, strengthen regulatory compliance, and improve worker welfare across the construction sector. The initiative was launched as a digital platform that integrates worker identity, site attendance, financial access, and wage management into a single national system. In his speech, Alexander Nanta Linggi, the Minister of Works Malaysia, described the initiative as “a major step forward for Malaysia’s construction sector”, highlighting its role in strengthening transparency, safety, and governance at construction sites nationwide. Under the CIDB Act (Act 520), registration of construction personnel is mandatory. To date, CIDB has registered a total of 1.17 million construction personnel, comprising 710,582 local workers and 457,522 foreign workers. The new CIDB card goes beyond a physical identification card. It integrates worker identity verification; digital record storage within CIDB’s CIMS system; E-Wallet functionality. “This initiative means workers no longer have to rely solely on cash payments or physical documents, “Their employment identity, attendance, and wages can now be managed digitally and securely,” said Nanta Linggi. With the digitalization, Workers gain access to a comprehensive digital ecosystem that includes E-Wallet functions; local and international money transfers; bill payments; mobile top-ups; reward features; digital attendance system at construction sites. According to Nanta Linggi, these features are especially beneficial for foreign workers who often face challenges in receiving timely wages or sending money home. With this integration, daily transactions become easier, faster, and more secure. It is noted that a key component of the system is e-Wages, which ensures workers receive salaries that are fair; timely and traceable. The system allows employers to upload payroll data via bulk IBG transfers from their payroll systems. Payments are then credited into each worker’s virtual account and displayed in their E-Wallet. “This system is cashless, accurate, and secure. It ensures all wage payments are properly recorded and comply with labor regulations,” explained Nanta Linggi. He added that this approach reduces wage disputes, enhances legal compliance, and supports Malaysia’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda. CIDB, through CLAB, has implemented a pilot project for the e-Wages function with five construction companies, involving 279 workers. These companies are WCT Berhad; RNC Integral Concrete Technology (M) Sdn Bhd; Can-I Interior Fit-Out Sdn Bhd; Symbolic Infotech Engineering Sdn Bhd; Yu Construction Sdn Bhd. The application also introduces a digital attendance feature at construction sites, replacing manual logbooks and inconsistent attendance records. This feature helps to verify the identity of all personnel on site; reduce the hiring of undocumented workers; strengthen enforcement and governance; enhance Malaysia’s reputation in ethical labor practices. “In short, this digital attendance system allows us to know who is at the construction site, where they are, and their entry and exit times,” stressed Nanta Linggi. In the long term, data collected through the new construction personnel registration card will be integrated into the upcoming Construction Productivity System (CPS). CPS will provide information on total working hours; workforce movement; productivity trends; green card compliance; project performance. “This data will contribute to better planning, more accurate forecasting, and stronger decision-making by both government and industry,” said Nanta Linggi. He also announced that Construction Labor Exchange Center Berhad (CLAB), a CIDB subsidiary, will play a key role in promoting voluntary adoption of the digital features offered through the new card. CLAB will also strengthen its role as a one-stop center for managing foreign construction labor, ensuring the industry’s needs are met with legal, competent, and safety compliant workers over the next five years. “This is purpose-driven digitalization. Technology is used not only to improve efficiency, but also to protect workers, raise industry standards, and build trust in the construction sector,” said Nanta Linggi. He also called on all contractors, developers, and industry organizations to fully support this initiative, stressing that digitalization is the key to a safer, more transparent, and competitive Malaysian construction ecosystem. MDEC and Ant International deepen partnership to accelerate digitalization of MSMEs across Malaysia