The Masters Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) has welcomed the suggestion that the government needs to further explain to market players about the approval process for liberalisation of cement and steel products.

This is because contractors are still finding it difficult to import steel bars even after the liberalisation of steel products from May 12, it said in a statement Tuesday.

The association said several thousand metric tonnes of steel bars are stranded in Johor Causeway because custom officers disallowed entry of the consignment without Approved Permit (AP) and certification of conformity to MS146.

Under the latest custom order on liberalisation of steel bars, exemption of AP and import duty would be given if the imported bars complied with MS146 or "equivalent".

"In the construction industry, the word ’equivalent’ is perceived to cover BS4449 which is the specification being used in all construction tenders and by many consulting engineers," MBAM said.

Recently, Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stated that the was a need for the government to further explain to market players about the approval process for liberalisation of cement and steel products.

"With assurance from the ministry, MBAM is hopeful that the issue regarding acceptable standards and codes for bringing in steel bars will be resolved," it said.