GDB Lands RM119 Million Sub-Contract for Sarawak's Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme

Flood preparedness in Sarawak got another boost on Monday, 19 October 2026, when construction group GDB Holdings Bhd announced a sub-contract worth about RM119 million under Phase 3 of the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme in the state.

The job went to GDB's wholly-owned subsidiary, GDB Infra Sdn Bhd, and was awarded by I-Ilham Corporation Sdn Bhd, the main contractor for the project. According to GDB's Bursa Malaysia filing, the sub-contract value is RM118.99 million and the works are scheduled for completion by 29 November 2029.

A growing Sarawak portfolio

This is GDB's fourth infrastructure contract in Sarawak, and the group says it lifts its cumulative construction value in the state to RM355.9 million. Its East Malaysian work now spans roadworks, water treatment and flood forecasting.

Here is how the new award fits into the group's bigger picture, based on the company's figures:

• Year-to-date contract wins now total RM795.3 million across Peninsular and East Malaysia
• The group says it is on track for its RM1.0 billion order book target for the financial year ending 31 December 2026
• Its tender book stood at RM4.3 billion as at 13 October, across industrial, data centre, commercial, mixed-use, infrastructure and residential projects
• The sub-contract will be funded through internally generated funds and/or bank borrowings

GDB executive director and acting group managing director Andy Lai Wee Young described flood mitigation infrastructure as a key growth area, saying the group is positioned to capture opportunities in climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

Why flood forecasting matters

Flood warning systems give communities and businesses time to move people, vehicles and stock before water rises. Malaysia faces seasonal floods, and the national programme is meant to improve how early those warnings arrive. GDB's filing focuses on the construction and completion works, and it did not give a detailed breakdown of the specific equipment or sites involved.

What this means for Malaysian readers

For Sarawakians, better flood forecasting should mean earlier, more reliable alerts over the next few years as the work is completed. For businesses anywhere in Malaysia, it is a good prompt to check your own flood readiness: know whether your shop, warehouse or office sits in a flood-prone area, keep important stock and equipment off the floor, back up your data to the cloud, and review whether your insurance actually covers flood damage.

For SMEs in construction, engineering and related services, climate resilience projects are becoming a steady source of public-sector work, often reached through sub-contracts with larger groups like GDB. Keeping a clear, up-to-date online profile of your capabilities makes it easier to be found when those packages are handed out.

Source: This article is based on reporting by the New Straits Times, with additional details from The Star. Read the original: GDB secures RM119mil Sarawak flood infrastructure contract.