Kuala Lumpur: The unit price index of sand recorded an increase between 0.1 percent to 3.8 percent for almost all areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak in April 2025 as compared to the previous month, according to the Special Release for Building and Structural Works April 2025 report released today by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin indicated that the highest increase was registered in Pahang with a 3.8 percent rise, followed by Perak at 2.9 percent, while Johor and Kuching both saw a 1.6 percent increase. The report highlights the fluctuations in material costs that are impacting construction and building sectors across the nation.

Apart from sand, Mohd Uzir noted a decrease in the unit price index of steel, ranging from 0.1 percent to 3.4 percent in April 2025 compared to the previous month. The most significant drop was observed in Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perlis, and Kota Kinabalu, all falling 3.4 percent, followed by Pahang at 0.8 percent and Kuching at 0.6 percent. He remarked that the unit price index of steel has been on a declining trend for four consecutive months.

The report also mentioned that the unit price index of steel and metal sections experienced a slight decrease of between 0.1 percent to 2.6 percent in almost all areas of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak in April 2025. Perak recorded the highest decrease at 2.6 percent. Meanwhile, the price index per unit of cement remained stable compared to the previous month across most regions, with a slight decrease noted in Sandakan at 1.3 percent and in Perak and Kuching at 0.2 percent each.

Mohd Uzir further detailed that the average price per unit of steel, including mild steel round bars and Mycon 60 high tensile deformed bars, showed a slight decrease of 0.4 percent, averaging RM3,490.80 per tonne in April compared to RM3,505.30 per tonne in March 2025. This downward trend aligns with global market trends for iron and iron ore commodity prices.

On the contrary, the average price of Ordinary Portland cement experienced a marginal increase of 0.2 percent, reaching RM23.70 per 50 kg bag in April compared to RM23.60 per 50 kg bag in March 2025.