CMS Cement explains cement shortage

CMS Cement, Sarawak’s sole cement producer, refuted claims that it had caused project delays and a surge in house prices.

In a clarification, CMS Group managing director Datuk Richard Curtis explained that there had been an unscheduled four-day shutdown of its Bintulu plant in late November due to an unforeseen technical breakdown. He said the situation was compounded by the exceptionally bad weather which seriously disrupted loading and unloading of bagged cement to be delivered by barge to Sibu from its Kuching plant to compensate for the Bintulu plant’s production shortfall.

Cement is delivered across Sarawak either in 50kg or one ton jumbo bags or in bulk; the latter being preferred by construction firms with larger cement orders and requirements.